Hymn Of The Week: May 25, 2020

Eternal Father, Strong to Save

 #8 in Glory to God

Eternal Father, Strong to Save, 
whose arm has bound the restless wave, 
who bade the mighty ocean deep 
it's own appointed limits keep:
O hear us when we cry to thee
for those in peril on the sea.

O savior whose almighty word
the winds and waves submissive heard,
who walked among the foaming deep
and calm amid it's rage did sleep:
O hear us when we cry to thee
for those in peril on the sea.

O Holy Spirit, who did brood 
upon the chaos wild and rude,
and bade its angry tumult cease,
and gave, for fierce confusion peace:
O hear us when we cry to thee
for those in peril on the sea.

O Trinity of love and power,
all travelers guard in danger's hour;
from rock and tempest, fire and foe,
protect them where-so-e'er they go;
thus evermore shall rise to thee
glad praise from air and land and sea.

This "Mariner's" hymn is probably the most widely recognized hymn of it's kind.  An 1857 Baptist hymnal denotes that there were 928 to 943 hymns dedicated to hymns asking for protection of those at sea.

This particular hymn was written in 1869 and is called the "Navy Hymn" because of it's association with the Naval Academy in Annapolis.  It was Franklin Roosevelt's favorite hymn and was sung at his funeral and in 1963 it accompanied the casket of John F. Kennedy as it was carried up the steps of the U.S. Capitol to lie in state.    

The melody has the hymn tune name MELITA which is named after the island where St. Paul was shipwrecked in the book of Acts chapter 27.

Not only is this hymn associated with the Navy and causes us to remember all those who have given their lives for our freedom during this Memorial Day Weekend, as we approach Pentecost and Trinity Sunday, it reminds us of the Holy Spirit and the blessed Trinity.

Further reading:  Then Sings My Soul 150 of the World's Greatest Hymn Stories by Robert Morgan.  Nelson Reference and Electronic Publishing