19 October 2005

singing after katrina

One of my favorite hymns is Eternal Father, Strong to Save. I've begun to wonder how I can sing this realistically and with compassion, given the destructive power of the waters... Of course, this hymn has its origin as a message of hope for those who labored on the sea, so it comes out of the knowledge those men and their families had of the great dangers they faced. Thoughts?

Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who biddest the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

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 keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

Most Holy Spirit, Who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude,
And bid its angry tumult cease,
And give, for wild confusion, peace;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

O Trinity of love and power!
They children 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.