Lyrics
Verse 1
Shall we gather at the river,
Where bright angel feet have trod,
With its crystal tide forever
Flowing by the throne of God?
Chorus
Yes, we'll gather at the river,
The beautiful, the beautiful river;
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of God.
Verse 2
On the margin of the river,
Washing up its silver spray,
We will talk and worship ever,
All the happy golden day.
Verse 3
Ere we reach the shining river,
Lay we every burden down;
Grace our spirits will deliver,
And provide a robe and crown.
Verse 4
At the smiling of the river,
Mirror of the Savior's face,
Saints, whom death will never sever,
Lift their songs of saving grace.
Verse 5
Soon we'll reach the silver river,
Soon our pilgrimage will cease;
Soon our happy hearts will quiver
With the melody of peace.
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
Shall We Gather At The River is a hymn that looks ahead to meeting the saints by the river of God. The first verse asks if believers will gather at the river where angel feet have trod, with its crystal tide flowing by the throne of God, and the chorus answers yes, gathering with the saints there. The following verses picture talking and worshiping on the river's margin through the happy golden day.
The middle verses say that before reaching the river every burden is laid down, because grace will deliver the spirit and provide a robe and crown, and that the river mirrors the Savior's face as saints whom death will never sever lift songs of saving grace. The last verse anticipates the end of the pilgrimage and hearts quivering with the melody of peace. The river imagery comes from Revelation 22:1-5, with Psalm 46:4, Hebrews 12:1 and Revelation 7:9-17. The gentle, hopeful wording and simple refrain make it well suited to congregational singing.
Related Scripture
- Revelation 22:1-5 A river of the water of life flows from the throne of God and the Lamb.
- Psalm 46:4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God.
- Revelation 7:9-17 A multitude in white robes worships before the throne.