Hymn 87
John Newton
8,8,8,8
The sea. 2828See also Book 1, Hymn 115
286 If for a time the air be calm, Serene and smooth the sea appears; And shows no danger to alarm The inexperienced landsman’s fears. | But if the tempest once arise, The faithless water swells and raves; Its billows, foaming to the skies, Disclose a thousand threat’ning graves. | My untried heart thus seemed to me, (So little of myself I knew) Smooth as the calm unruffled sea, But ah! it proved as treach’rous too! | The peace, of which I had a taste, When Jesus first his love revealed I fondly hoped would always last, Because my foes were then concealed. | But when I felt the tempter’s pow’r Rouse my corruptions from their sleep; I trembled at the stormy hour, And saw the horrors of the deep. | Now, on presumption’s billows borne, My spirit seemed the LORD to dare; Now, quick as thought, a sudden turn Plunged me in gulfs of black despair. | LORD, save me, or I sink, I prayed, He heard, and bid the tempest cease; The angry waves his word obeyed, And all my fears were hushed to peace. | The peace is his, and not my own, My heart (no better than before) Is still to dreadful changes prone, Then let me never trust it more. | |