Charles Wesley - From Every Stormy Wind That Blows Lyrics
Lyrics
1 FROM every stormy wind that blows,
From every swelling tide of woes,
There is a calm, a sure retreat;
'Tis found beneath the mercy-seat.
2 There is a place where Jesus sheds
The oil of gladness on our heads,
A place than all beside more sweet;
It is the blood-stained mercy-seat.
3 There is a spot where spirits blend,
And friend holds fellowship with friend;
Though sundered far, by faith they meet
Around one common mercy-seat.
4 There, there on eagle-wing we soar,
And time and sense seem all no more;
And heaven comes down our souls to greet,
And glory crowns the mercy-seat.
Video
Charles Wesley Godwin - Live From Boston
Meaning & Inspiration
The performance of "From Every Stormy Wind That Blows" by Charles Wesley, as captured on Charles Wesley Godwin - Live From Boston, released February 28, 2024, offers a profound spiritual anchor in a world often buffeted by hardship. Charles Wesley, a prolific hymn writer of the Methodist movement, penned this hymn with an unwavering gaze fixed on divine solace. The core message of the song is the unshakeable refuge and profound peace found in the presence of God, specifically symbolized by the "mercy-seat." This refers to the lid of the Ark of the Covenant in the Old Testament, where God's presence was said to dwell, a place of atonement and communion. The hymn extols this divine refuge as an "assured retreat" from life's tribulations, echoing the promise found in Psalm 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
The verses artfully paint a picture of this sanctuary. The second stanza speaks of Jesus shedding "the oil of gladness," a beautiful metaphor for spiritual joy and healing. This directly relates to verses like Psalm 45:7, which speaks of God anointing the righteous with "oil of joy above your fellows," and Isaiah 61:3, which foretells the Messiah bringing "beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness." The "blood-stained mercy-seat" is a powerful allusion to the atonement made by Christ on the cross, the ultimate act of mercy that opens the way for us to approach God. Hebrews 4:16 encourages us to "come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." The third stanza addresses the unity of believers, even when physically separated. Through faith, individuals are brought together around this singular "mercy-seat," emphasizing the communal aspect of faith and the shared experience of God's grace, as highlighted in Galatians 3:28: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Finally, the hymn culminates in a vision of spiritual transcendence. At the mercy-seat, believers are lifted on "eagle-wing," a vivid image of divine empowerment and soaring freedom, reminiscent of Isaiah 40:31: "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." This is where earthly concerns fade, and the soul experiences a foretaste of heaven, a glory that crowns this sacred meeting place with God. The song, therefore, is not merely a musical piece but a profound theological statement and a comforting invitation to find ultimate peace and strength in the unwavering mercy of God.