Two years before his conversion, Charles Wesley was crossing the Atlantic. When a storm arose, he was terrified. He wrote in his journal, “The sea streamed in at the sides; . . . it was as much as four men could do by continual pumping to keep her above water. I rose and lay down by turns, but could remain in no posture long; strove vehemently to pray, but in vain.”
Later in the afternoon as the storm reached its peak, he said, “In this dreadful moment, I found the comfort of hope.”
After he returned from America, Charles was converted. One year after his conversion, he wrote this hymn, one of the most famous of the six thousand hymns that he wrote.
The hymn speaks about the tempest and about seeking a refuge from the storm. Charles found that refuge, that safe haven in Jesus Christ, and he speaks about it in the last stanza: “Plenteous grace with Thee is found, grace to cover all my sin.”
Scriptures: Psalm 17:6-8; Psalm 91:2-4; Nahum 1:7
Themes: Comfort, Grace, Mercy
Jesus, Lover of my soul, let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high;
Hide me, O my Savior, hide, till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide; O receive my soul at last!
Other refuge have I none; hangs my helpless soul on Thee;
Leave, ah! leave me not alone, still support and comfort me.
All my trust on Thee is stayed; all my help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenseless head with the shadow of Thy wing.
Thou, O Christ, art all I want; more than all in Thee I find:
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint, heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is Thy name; I am all unrighteousness;
False and full of sin I am; Thou art full of truth and grace.
Plenteous grace with Thee is found, grace to cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound; make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art; freely let me take of Thee:
Spring Thou up within my heart; rise to all eternity.
