Be Still
W. Clifford Petty Lyrics
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The billows are tossing high
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
The winds and the waves shall obey my 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
They shall sweetly obey my will
Peace be still, peace be still
They all shall sweetly obey my will, peace, peace be still
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 my 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
They shall sweetly obey my will
Peace be still, peace be still
They all shall sweetly obey my will, peace, peace be still
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 my 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
They shall sweetly obey my will
Peace be still, peace be still
They all shall sweetly obey my will, peace, peace be still
W. Clifford Petty's song "Be Still" is a powerful message about faith and the hope that one can find through it. In the first verse, the lyrics tell of a great storm that is ravaging the seas, with no hope in sight for those on board. In desperation, the singer cries out to God, questioning why He seems to be asleep and unconcerned with their plight. But in the second verse, the tone changes - the singer is no longer asking why God is not helping them, but rather is asking for His intervention in their lives, in the "torrents of sin and of anguish" that they feel are overwhelming them. The final verse brings a message of hope - the storm has passed and there is peace, with a sense of heaven within the singer's own heart.
The lyrics can be interpreted as a message of hope for those who are struggling with their faith or are feeling lost and alone. In the midst of life's storms, it is easy to feel as if there is no help or hope, but the song reminds us that God can calm the storm and bring peace to our troubled souls.
Line by Line Meaning
Master, the tempest is raging
Oh Master, the storm is brewing
The billows are tossing high
The waves are too dangerous to handle
The sky is o'er shadowed with blackness
Dark clouds loom over the horizon
No shelter or help is nigh
There is no refuge or aid nearby
Carest Thou not that we perish?
Do you not care if we die?
How canst Thou lie asleep
How can you be so peaceful at this time?
When each moment so madly is threatening
When every moment is filled with danger
A grave in the angry deep?
A watery grave in the midst of the raging sea?
The winds and the waves shall obey my will, peace be still
The elements will listen to me, let there be peace
Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea
Regardless of the ferocity of the tumultuous sea
Or demons or men or whatever it be
Whether it is evil spirits, humans or anything else
No water can swallow the ship where lies the Master of ocean and earth and skies
No amount of water can sink the ship where the Lord of the seas, land and sky abides
They shall sweetly obey my will
All shall willingly follow my command
Master, with anguish of spirit I bow in my grief today
Oh Master, I am overwhelmed with grief and distress today
The depths of my sad heart are troubled
My heart is troubled to its very core
Oh, waken and save, I pray
Please wake up and save me
Torrents of sin and of anguish sweep o'er my sinking soul
I am drowning in a sea of sin and anguish
And I perish, I perish, dear Master
I am about to die, I am going to die, oh Master
Oh, hasten and take control
Please take control and intervene
Master, the terror is over
Oh Master, the fear and panic have subsided
The elements sweetly rest
The natural forces have been calmed and are now peaceful
Earth's sun in the calm lake is mirrored
The calm lake reflects the beauty and serenity of the sun
And heaven's within my breast
I feel the peace and joy of heaven within me
Linger, o blessed Redeemer
Please stay with me, oh blessed Savior
Leave me alone no more
Do not forsake me anymore
And with joy I shall make the blest harbor
By your grace, I will arrive at the blessed haven with joy
And rest on the blissful shore
And find rest on the joyful and peaceful shore
They all shall sweetly obey my will, peace, peace be still
All will peacefully submit to my command, peace, peace be still
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES CLEVELAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind