The text of this hymn was written by Edward Hopper, born February 17, 1818, in New York City, his mother being a descendant of the Huguenots.
After years of study he became pastor of the Church of Sea and Land in New York Harbor.
He read Matthew 8:23-27 which says, “And when He was entered into a ship, His disciples followed Him. And behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but He was asleep. And His disciples came to Him, and awoke Him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And He saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then He arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him!"
Mr. Hopper was inspired to write the following poem for the many sailors to whom he ministered all his life.
Jesus, Savior, pilot me
Over life's tempestuous sea:
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rocks and treach'rous shoal,
Chart and compass come from Thee
Jesus, Savior, pilot me!When the 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.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.As a mother stills her child,
Thou canst hush the ocean wild;
Boist'rous waves obey Thy will
When Thou say'st to them, "Be still!"
Wondrous Sov'reign of the sea,
Jesus, Savior, pilot me!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!"
He wrote and published anonymously, and it wasn't until approximately ten years later, when asked to bring a new hymn for a special seamen's meeting that he brought the then widely known poem and read it, giving the secret of its authorship.
Mr. Hopper docked from life's stormy sea at the age of seventy on April 23, 1888 in New York City.
For more see: Mr Edward Hopper.
Mr. John E. Gould was born April 9, 1821 in Bangor, Maine and died on March 4, 1875 in Algiers, Africa.
He planned to go to Africa because of his poor health. Before he left America, he composed the music of this song as we know it today. John Gould was the owner of music stores in New York and Philadelphia.
He was promoted to glory after being in Africa for four years.
Source
Kenneth W. Osbeck, 101 More Hymn Stories (Grand Rapids, Ml: Kregel Publications, 1985), pp. 163-165.
