Eternal Father, Strong to Save

Eternal Father, Strong to Save (The Navy Hymn)

Text written by William Whiting (1825-1878)

Sung to MELITA, composed by John B. Dykes (1823-1876)

Job 38:11 ...when I said, ‘This far you may come and no farther;

here is where your proud waves halt’?

Psalm 107:28 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,

and he brought them out of their distress.

! Timothy 1:17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

V. 1 Eternal Father, strong to save,

Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,

Who bid'st the mmighty ocean deep

Its own appointed limits keep;

Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee

For those in peril on the sea.

Matthew 14:25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, 

walking on the lake.

Mark 4:38, 39 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” 

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

V. 2 O Christ, whose voice the waters heard,

And hushed their raging at Thy word,

Who walkedst on the foaming deep,

And calm amidst its rage didst sleep;

Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee

For those in peril on the sea.

Genesis 1:2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

V. 3 O Holy Spirit, who didst brood

Upon the waters dark and rude,

And bid their angry tumult cease,

And give, for wild confusion, peace:

Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee

For those in peril on the sea.

Psalm 37:31 The law of their God is in their hearts;

their feet do not slip.

V. 4 O Trinity of love and power,

All trav'lers shield in danger's hour;

From rock and tempest, fire and foe,

Protect them wheresoe'er they go;

Thus evermore shall rise to Thee

Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.