Eternal Father, Strong to Save
Eternal Father, Strong to Save is a hymn that is often associated with the Royal Navy, United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. It is also called the Royal Navy Hymn or the United States Navy Hymn.
The original hymn was written in 1860 by William Whiting of Winchester, England. Actually, it was conceived as a poem for a student of his, who wanted to travel to the United States. 1861 composed by John B. Dykes, an Anglican clergyman, the tune " Melita" for the poem. " Melita" is an archaic term for Malta, an ancient seafaring nation and the scene of the shipwreck of the Apostle Paul, who is described in the book of Acts.
The first verse is a reference to Psalm 104, in which God the waters of the earth forbids this to flood again. The second verse refers to Jesus ' miracles to calm a storm and walk on the water of the Sea of Galilee. The third verse mentions the role of the Holy Spirit in the creation story of Genesis and the last verse is in turn a reference to Psalm 107
Winston Churchill demanded that the anthem was sung prior to the declaration of the Atlantic Charter in a church service on the HMS Prince of Wales, in which U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was present. The anthem was also the last song that was on the Titanic in worship on Sunday, April 14, 1912, the last Sunday before she sank played. The hymn was sung at many funerals of former U.S. Navy members and politicians, including Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford
Text
Eternal Father, strong to save, Whose arm hath bound the restless wave, Who bidd'st 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 sleep; 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! Our brethren shield in danger 's hour; From rock and tempest, fire and foe, Protect them wheresoe'er They Go; Malthus evermore shall rise to Thee Glad hymns of praise from country and sea.
German song version
O eternal God, with a mighty hand You think the lake edge and ribbon. Your people will share for the open sea To rescue from the enemy army. We ask you to stand with grace ' When people in danger at sea. O Jesus Christ, The Tempest violence You have command with words hold. You stride safely through the flood, And sleeping quietly in the waves rage. We ask you to stand with grace ' When people in danger at sea. O Spirit hovering over the waters, Moved from the beginning the world. Appease the waves run, Maintenance swirls and storm surge on. We ask you to stand with grace ' When people in danger at sea. Trinity of love and power! Beschütz our people day and night. Through downturns, storms, rock and Priel, Escort them to their destination. Then sounds loud in windward and leeward Your praise to land and sea.