I am Thine; save me.
Psalm 119:94
Words: Charles Wesley, Hymns and Sacred Poems 1739.
Music: Lest We Forget George F. Blanchard, 1898 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tune:
If you know where to get a good photo of Blanchard (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Just before the Maria mail-boat struck on the reefs near Antigua in February, 1826, little Willy White, one of the missionary children on board, gave out, with an emphasis and seriousness which were much noticed, the verse ‘Though waves and storms go o’er my head,’ and talked to his small companions about Jonah and other Bible stories.
Mrs. Jones, wife of one of the missionaries, was much comforted by the verse, ‘Jesus protects; my fears, be gone!’ and sang ‘When passing through the watery deep.’
The mail-boat broke up, and all the party were drowned—five missionaries, two missionaries’ wives, four children, and two nurses—save Mrs. Jones, who was rescued on Friday morning, after being in the water from Tuesday morning.
In 1832 she married Mr. Hincksman, of Preston. On her death-bed in April, 1859, when she could scarcely speak, she asked that the hymn which had comforted her in that time of shipwreck might be sung, and found that it was still full of strong consolation.
Telford, pp. 289–90
Peace, doubting heart! my God’s I am;
Who formed me man, forbids my fear;
The Lord hath called me by my name;
The Lord protects, for ever near;
His blood for me did once atone,
And still He loves and guards His own.
When passing through the watery deep,
I ask in faith His promised aid,
The waves all awful distance keep,
And shrink from my devoted head;
Fearless their violence I dare;
They cannot harm, for God is there!
To Him mine eye of faith I turn,
And through the fire pursue my way;
The fire forgets its power to burn,
The lambent flames around me play;
I own His power, accept the sign,
And shout to prove the Savior mine.
Still nigh me, O my Savior, stand!
And guard in fierce temptation’s hour;
Hide in the hollow of Thy hand,
Show forth in me Thy saving power,
Still be Thy arms my sure defense,
Nor earth nor hell shall pluck me thence.
Since Thou hast bid me come to Thee,
Good as Thou art, and strong to save
I’ll walk o’er life’s tempestuous sea,
Upborne by the unyielding wave,
Dauntless, though rocks of pride be near,
And yawning whirlpools of despair.
When darkness intercepts the skies,
And sorrow’s waves around me roll,
When high the storms of passion rise,
And half o’erwhelm my sinking soul,
My soul a sudden calm shall feel,
And hear a whisper, Peace; be still!
Though in affliction’s furnace tried,
Unhurt on snares and death I’ll tread;
Though sin assail, and hell, thrown wide,
Pour all its flames upon my head,
Like Moses’ bush, I’ll mount the higher,
And flourish unconsumed in fire.