Shall We Gather at the River / the Water Is Wide

Selah pairs Robert Lowry's nineteenth-century hymn with the older folk tune "The Water Is Wide," and the opening question sets the whole song's direction: "shall we gather at the river, where bright angel feet have trod, with its crystal tide forever flowing by the throne of God?"

"When we reach the shining river, lay we every burden down, grace our spirits will deliver, and provide a robe and crown" treats the river not as a metaphor to unpack but as an actual destination, one where a specific kind of unburdening happens.

"Christ is the center of all we see, He is the jewel that guides us true" moves the hymn from destination back to guide, and Revelation's own picture of a river of the water of life flowing from God's throne gives Lowry's image its source. "No matter what, Lord, You'll stay with me, no matter what, I'll stay with You" closes the hymn on a promise made in both directions, not just asked for.