Eternal Father, Strong to Save

John Dykes (1823-1876)

arr. Dan Forrest (b. 1978)

Eternal Father, strong to save,

Whose arm hath bond 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 did 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.

Oh, Trinity of love and pow'r,

Our brethren shield in danger's hour

From rock and tempest, fire, and foe;

Protect them wheresoe'er they go.

Thus ever more shall rise to Thee

Glad hymns of praise from land and sea. Amen.

— William Whiting (1825-1878)

“Eternal Father, Strong to Save” was conducted by guest conductor Anton Armstrong and performed by the Houston Chamber Choir with accompanist Andreea Muț at the 2015-2016 season’s “Ya Gotta Believe.”