Title: Master the tempest is raging
Hymn Number: SS&S 61 (Sacred songs and solo)
1 Master, the tempest is raging!
The billows are tossing high I
The sky is o’er-shadowed with blackness
No shelter or help is nigh:,
Carest Thou not that we perish ?
How canst Thou lie asleep,
When each moment so madly is threatening
A grave in the angry deep ?
Refrain: The winds and the waves shall obey My will!
Peace ! …be stilt ! . . .
Whether the wrath of the storm-tost sea.
Or demons, or men, or whatever it be,
No waters can swallow the ship where lies
The Master of ocean, and earth, and skies :
They all shall sweetly obey My will ;
Peace ! be still! Peace ! be still !
They all shall sweetly obey My will ;
Peace I peace ! be still !
2 Master, with anguish of spirit
I bow in my grief to-day;
The depths of my sad heart arc troubled ;
Oh, waken and save, I pray !
Torrents of sin and of anguish
Sweep o’er my sinking soul ;
And I perish! I perish! dear Master :
Oh, hasten,and take control.
3 Master, the terror is over,
The elements sweetly rest ;
Earth’s sun in the calm lake is mirrored,
And heaven’s within my breast ;
Linger, O blessed Redeemer,
Leave me alone no more :
And with joy I shall make the blest harbour,
And rest on the blissful shore.
About The Hymn
The hymn “Master, the Tempest is Raging,” numbered 61 in Sacred Songs and Solos, was written by Mary Ann Baker in 1874. This powerful hymn is inspired by the biblical account of Jesus calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:35–41). With three verses, it vividly describes life’s storms, the believer’s plea for help, and the assurance of Christ’s power and presence. The hymn explores themes of faith, trust, divine authority, and the peace that only Jesus can provide.
Verse 1: The Cry for Help Amid the Storm
The first verse begins with a vivid depiction of a storm:
“Master, the tempest is raging! The billows are tossing high! The sky is o’ershadowed with blackness, no shelter or help is nigh.”
This opening sets the scene of desperation and chaos, mirroring the emotional and spiritual storms believers face in life. The imagery of “billows tossing high” and a darkened sky conveys a sense of overwhelming danger and hopelessness.
The verse continues:
“Carest Thou not that we perish? How canst Thou lie asleep, when each moment so madly is threatening a grave in the angry deep?”
This line echoes the disciples’ question to Jesus during the storm (Mark 4:38), expressing the human tendency to doubt God’s care in moments of crisis. It captures the raw emotion of fear and confusion, as the believer struggles to understand God’s silence in the face of trouble.
Verse 2: Jesus’ Authority and Peace
The second verse shifts focus to Christ’s divine authority over the storm:
“Master, with anguish of spirit I bow in my grief today. The depths of my sad heart are troubled; oh, waken and save, I pray!”
This plea for deliverance reflects the believer’s faith in Jesus as the one who can calm not only physical storms but also the inner turmoil of the heart. It acknowledges the depth of human suffering while expressing trust in Christ’s power to bring peace.
The verse continues:
“Torrents of sin and of anguish sweep o’er my sinking soul; and I perish, I perish, dear Master—oh, hasten and take control.”
Here, the storm becomes a metaphor for sin and despair, emphasizing humanity’s need for salvation. The cry for Jesus to “take control” demonstrates complete surrender to His authority and reliance on His saving grace.
Verse 3: The Assurance of Peace and Victory
The final verse proclaims the peace and assurance found in Christ:
“Master, the terror is over, the elements sweetly rest; Earth’s sun in the calm lake is mirrored, and heaven’s within my breast.”
This verse depicts the aftermath of the storm, with nature and the believer’s heart both finding peace. The imagery of a calm lake and heavenly peace reflects the transformative power of Jesus’ intervention.
The verse concludes:
“Linger, O blessed Redeemer! Leave me alone no more; and with joy I shall make the blest harbor and rest on the blissful shore.”
This line expresses the believer’s desire for Jesus’ continual presence, recognizing that His companionship brings eternal peace and security. The “blest harbor” and “blissful shore” symbolize the ultimate destination of heaven, where all storms cease forever.
Refrain: The Authority of Jesus Over the Storm
The hymn’s refrain triumphantly declares:
“The winds and the waves shall obey Thy will, ‘Peace, be still!’ Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea, or demons, or men, or whatever it be, no water can swallow the ship where lies the Master of ocean and earth and skies.”
This refrain reinforces the central message of the hymn: Jesus’ absolute power over all forces, whether natural, spiritual, or human. It affirms the believer’s confidence that no storm can overcome them when Jesus is present. The repeated declaration of “Peace, be still!” echoes Christ’s command in Mark 4:39, emphasizing His ability to bring calm in any situation.
Overall Message and Significance
“Master, the Tempest is Raging” is a hymn of faith and trust in Jesus’ power to calm life’s storms. Each verse moves from desperation to supplication and finally to peace and assurance, mirroring the journey of faith through trials. It captures the human experience of fear and doubt but ultimately points to Christ as the source of hope and victory.
The hymn’s vivid imagery and heartfelt plea resonate deeply with believers, reminding them that Jesus is always in control, even when the storms of life seem overwhelming. By focusing on His authority and love, the hymn encourages worshippers to trust in His ability to bring peace, both in this life and in the eternal “blissful shore” of heaven.