Above the Mighty Waves

“Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.” — Psalm 89:9

The world was in a storm. The waves of war raged about the ships of state. The entire planet was caught up in the turmoil and tumult. It was unclear if civilization could survive.

It was 1941 when two great world leaders met at sea. American President Franklin Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill convened on board the HMS Prince of Wales to create the Atlantic Charter. Churchill requested a hymn be played.

The words were by William Whiting and the tune, Melita, was composed by John B. Dykes. Dykes named the tune after the island of Melita where Paul and his company stayed after being shipwrecked. Today, it is called Malta.

Eternal Father, strong to save,

Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,

Who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep

Its own appointed limits keep;

Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,

For those in peril on the sea!

Everyone felt they were in peril in those days of World War II. At some point in every life, we are caught up in storms. The waves are more powerful than we are. Yet, they cannot move God who can still them or pilot us through them.

Hugh Taylor added this verse:

God, who dost still the restless foam,

Protect the ones we love at home.

Provide that they should always be

By Thine own grace both safe and free.

O Father, hear us when we pray

For those we love so far away.

At another point in time Edward Hopper had a ministry in New York City called the Church of the Sea and Land. There, he met sailors from around the world. He wrote these words to give them comfort and encouragement, not only for their adventures at sea, but as they faced the wind, waves, and storms of life.

Jesus, Savior, pilot me

Over life’s tempestuous sea;

Unknown waves before me roll,

Hiding rock and treacherous shoal.

Chart and compass come from Thee;

Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

When at last I near the shore,

And the fearful breakers roar

’Twixt me and the peaceful rest,

Then, while leaning on Thy breast,

May I hear Thee say to me,

Fear not, I will pilot thee.

More at:

https://tomsims.substack.com/p/the-world-o