The lyrics for this week’s hymn were written by Vernon J Charlesworth in 1880. Charlesworth was born in Barking, Essex, England in 1839. He was co-pastor at the Surrey Chapel, and served as headmaster of Charles Spurgeon’s Stockwell Orphanage for 40 years. During his lifetime, he wrote a number of gospel songs, but this is the only one commonly sung today.
Ira D. Sankey was born in Pennsylvania in 1840. He was an American gospel singer and composer. In 1870 Dwight L Moody recruited him and they traveled together on revival campaigns across America and England until Moody’s death in 1899. It was during this time that Sankey discovered Charlesworth’s poem and set it to music, what became A Shelter in the Time of Storm.
The Lord’s our Rock, in Him we hide
A shelter in the time of storm;
Secure whatever ill betide
A shelter in the time of storm.
A shade by day, defense by night
A shelter in the time of storm;
No fears alarm, no foes affright
A shelter in the time of storm.
The raging storms may round us beat
A shelter in the time of storm;
We’ll never leave our safe retreat
A shelter in the time of storm.
O Rock divine, O Refuge dear
A shelter in the time of storm;
Be Thou our helper ever near
A shelter in the time of storm.
Chorus:
O Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A weary land, a weary land;
O Jesus is a Rock in a weary land
A shelter in the time of storm.
How appropriate for these troublesome times we live in. So many of the Psalms speak of God as our refuge and fortress, our shelter during stormy times. Thank you for listening!
“5 My soul, wait silently for God alone,
(Psalms 62:5-8)
For my expectation is from Him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation;
He is my defense;
I shall not be moved.
7 In God is my salvation and my glory;
The rock of my strength,
And my refuge, is in God.
8 Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us.”
Head over to my YouTube channel to like and subscribe and press the bell to receive notifications of new videos. Thank you!
See Videos on main menu for additional music performance videos.