Master The Tempest Is Raging

This song is based on the story of Jesus and his disciples caught in a raging storm on the Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:35 – 39). Jesus was asleep amidst the storm. His disciples were afraid and woke Jesus up. When Jesus woke up, “He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”

The author, Mary Ann Baker wrote this song when her very dear and only brother was laid in the grave, a victim of the suffered from tuberculosis, the same disease that had taken their parents’ lives.

He left Chicago for the sunny South. For a time he seemed to be improving, but then a sudden turn in his health came and he died almost immediately. Mary Ann and her sister were heartbroken. To add to their grief, their poor health and personal finances did not allow them to claim their brother’s body or to finance the return to Chicago for burial.

“I had believed on Christ in early childhood and had always desired to give the Master a consecrated and obedient life, I became wickedly rebellious at this dispensation of divine providence. I said in my heart that God did not care for me or mine. But the Master’s own voice stilled the tempest in my unsanctified heart, and brought it to the calm of a deeper faith and a more perfect trust.” Sankey, pp. 220-1

Mary Ann Baker wrote the words of the hymn as a personal testimony. Her words would bring comfort to others whose faith might be tested under such circumstances and despair.  

As you face your storms of life, remember that God does care about you and He alone can give you a peace that passeth understanding. I have experienced that, have you? We will be honored to have you share with us the storms of life that you have been through or are going through.

 

Master the tempest is raging. Peace, be still! Peace, be Still! They all shall sweetly obey thy will, peace, peace be still!

Words: Mary Ann Baker (1874)
Music: Horatio Richmond Palmer (1874)

Lyrics:

(1) Master, the tempest is raging! The billows are tossing high!
The sky is o’ershadow 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?
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 waters can swallow the ship where lies
The Master of ocean, and earth, and skies;
They all shall sweetly obey Thy will,
Peace, be still! Peace, be still!
They all shall sweetly obey Thy will, Peace, peace, be still!

(2) 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!
Torrents of sin and of anguish sweep o’er my sinking soul;
And I perish! I perish! dear Master
Oh, hasten, and take control.
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 waters can swallow the ship where lies
The Master of ocean, and earth, and skies;
They all shall sweetly obey Thy will,
Peace, be still! Peace, be still!
They all shall sweetly obey Thy will, Peace, peace, be still!
 
(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 harbor,
And rest on the blissful shore.
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 waters can swallow the ship where lies
The Master of ocean, and earth, and skies;
They all shall sweetly obey Thy will,
Peace, be still! Peace, be still!
They all shall sweetly obey Thy will, Peace, peace, be still!