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EAR my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. 2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. 4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah. (Psalm 61:1-4)
The author of this hymn, Vernon J. Charlesworth (1839-1915), was Headmaster of the orphanage at Stockwell, England, under the sponsorship of Charles Spurgeon, so, it might be concluded many of his charges were very familiar with the appeal of this beautifully biblical hymn. The music is by the notable hymnist, Ira Sankey, and published in 1880. In the words of the hymn, we find repeated time and again, the nature of the Lord as our shelter in all trials, our Rock in a Wilderness land, and our Fountain of Living Waters in a dry place.
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.
Mighty Rock in a weary land,
Cooling shade on the burning sand,
Faithful guide for the pilgrim band-
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 fears affright,
A shelter in the time of storm.
Mighty Rock in a weary land,
Cooling shade on the burning sand,
Faithful guide for the pilgrim band-
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.
Mighty Rock in a weary land,
Cooling shade on the burning sand,
Faithful guide for the pilgrim band-
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.
Mighty Rock in a weary land,
Cooling shade on the burning sand,
Faithful guide for the pilgrim band-
A shelter in the time of storm.
1 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. Mighty Rock in a weary land, Cooling shade on the burning sand, Faithful guide for the pilgrim band- A shelter in the time of storm. Is there any doubt that the Lord Jesus Christ is our Rock and firm Foundation? If you do so doubt, you are a skeptic of biblical truth. “1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” (1 Corinthians 10:1-4) To what power do we appeal, often as a last resort, when all else fails? Is it not the Lord? Christ was that Rock of Horeb out of which flowed with abundant flourishes of water in the Wilderness of Sin at Rephidim.
2 A shade by day, defense by night, A shelter in the time of storm; No fears alarm, no fears affright, A shelter in the time of storm. Mighty Rock in a weary land, Cooling shade on the burning sand, Faithful guide for the pilgrim band- A shelter in the time of storm. Do you remember that shade by day and defense by night that the Lord provided in the wilderness? The Pillar of Cloud by day provided a cooling shadow to the people of God and the Pillar of Fire prevented the enemy’s encroachment by night. The Providential protection of God has not ceased in our day for His people. Not only did God provide shade and protection, but that those two Pillars served as a Guide during the Wilderness journey of forty years. The Christian today is no less a pilgrim seeking after a better city – that City of God. A pilgrim does not travel with excessive baggage of the world to weigh down his travel.
3 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. Mighty Rock in a weary land, Cooling shade on the burning sand, Faithful guide for the pilgrim band- A shelter in the time of storm. What beauty and comfort we find in the precious gems hidden in God’s Word: “23 They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; 24 These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. 25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. 26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. 27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end. 28 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. 29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. 30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.” (Psalm 107:23-30) Remember the words of David the Psalmist when a fugitive in the wilderness in his appeal to God: “5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: 6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. 7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. 8 My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.” (Psalm 63:5-8)
4 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. Mighty Rock in a weary land, Cooling shade on the burning sand, Faithful guide for the pilgrim band- A shelter in the time of storm. The desert to the east of the Red Sea crossing is one of burning sands. It is so hot and dry that you could chill a soda drink by placing it in a wet sock and sling it around in circles for less than five minutes. The arid air evaporates the water quickly colling the drink inside. Only the Lord could provide cooling shade in such an environment. The Tabernacle illustrated the Presence of God with His people throughout that Wilderness journey through mountain, valley, and desert land. He does for us today. I was blessed to be required to memorize this Psalm in the second grade, and it did me good and not harm: “1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. (Psalm 23:1-6)
