3434. Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me

1. Jesus, Savior, pilot me
Over life’s tempestuous sea;
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rock and treacherous shoal.
Chart and compass come from Thee;
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

2. While th’apostles’ fragile bark
Struggled with the billows dark,
On the stormy Galilee,
Thou didst walk upon the sea;
And when they beheld Thy form,
Safe they glided through the storm.

3. Though the sea be smooth and bright,
Sparkling with the stars of night,
And my ship’s path be ablaze
With the light of halcyon days,
Still I know my need of Thee;
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

4. When the darkling heavens frown,
And the wrathful winds come down,
And the fierce waves, tossed on high,
Lash themselves against the sky,
Jesus, Savior, pilot me,
Over life’s tempestuous sea.

5. As a mother stills her child,
Thou canst hush the ocean wild;
Boisterous waves obey Thy will,
When Thou sayest to them, Be still!
Wondrous sovereign of the sea,
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

6. When at last I near the shore,
And the fearful breakers roar
’Twixt me and the peaceful rest,
Then, while leaning on Thy breast,
May I hear Thee say to me,
Fear not, I will pilot thee.

Text Information
First Line: Jesus, Savior, pilot me
Title: Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me
Author: Edward Hopper (1871)
Language: English
Source: The Sailor's Magazine (1871) and The Baptist Praise Book (1871)
Copyright: Public Domain
Notes: The nautical theme reflects Hopper's ministry at the Church of the Sea and Land in New York City, where he met sailors from around the world. Major D. W. Whittle told me the following incident in connection with this hymn: I went with General O. O. Howard to hold meetings for the soldiers at Tampa, Florida, and one day while going through the camp I found a young man dying of fever. I knelt by his side and asked him if he was a Christian. He replied that he was not, but said that his father and mother were Christians; and he asked me to pray for him. I did so, but no deep impression was made upon his heart. I went away with a sorrowing heart and promised to return another day. Two days later I visited him again and, praying with him, the Lord put into my mind to sing, Jesus, Saviour, pilot me. The dying soldier said: Oh, that sounds good; it puts me in mind of my beloved sister in Michigan, who used to sing this hymn for me before I entered the army. He wanted me to repeat it over and over again for him, and finally he asked: Will Jesus be my pilot into the haven of rest? I told the young man that Jesus would. Then, he said, I will trust him with all my heart. The next day I called to see him again, but his comrade said: He passed away during the night. Sankey, p. 185. Alternate tune: TOPLADY, Thomas Hastings, 1830
Tune Information
Name: PILOT
Composer: John Edgar Gould
Incipit: 32172 16543 32171
Key: B♭ Major
Copyright: Public Domain



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