Charles Wesley - God Is The Refuge Of His Saints Lyrics
Lyrics
1 GOD is the refuge of his saints,
When storms of sharp distress invade;
Ere we can offer our complaints,
Behold him present with his aid!
2 Let mountains from their seats be hurled
Down to the deep, and buried there,
Convulsions shake the solid world,
Our faith shall never yield to fear.
3 Loud may the troubled ocean roar;
In sacred peace our souls abide;
While every nation, every shore,
Trembles, and dreads the swelling tide.
4 There is a stream, whose gentle flow
Supplies the city of our God,
Life, love, and joy still gliding through,
And watering our divine abode.
5 Zion enjoys her monarch's love,
Secure against the threatening hour;
Nor can her firm foundation move,
Built on his faithfulness and power.
==L.M. SECOND PART
6 LET Zion in her King rejoice,
Though Satan rage, and kingdoms rise:
He utters his almighty voice,
The nations melt, the tumult dies.
7 The Lord of old for Jacob fought;
And Jacob's God is still our aid:
Behold the works his hand hath wrought!
What desolations he hath made!
8 From sea to sea, through all their shores,
He makes the noise of battle cease;
When from on high his thunder roars,
He awes the trembling world to peace.
9 He breaks the bow, he cuts the spear;
Chariots he burns with heavenly flame:
Keep silence, all the earth, and hear
The sound and glory of his name:
10 "Be still, and learn that I am God,
Exalted over all the lands;
I will be known and feared abroad;
For still my throne in Zion stands."
11 O Lord of hosts, almighty King!
While we so near thy presence dwell,
Our faith shall rest secure, and sing
Defiance to the gates of hell.
Video
Ye Servants Of God - Charles Wesley (hymn)
Meaning & Inspiration
Charles Wesley's powerful hymn, "God Is The Refuge Of His Saints," originally published in 1744, remains a profound declaration of divine protection and an enduring testament to unwavering faith. The hymn’s core message, amplified by its enduring presence in congregational singing, centers on the absolute security found in God when life’s storms descend. Wesley crafts a narrative where human struggles, no matter how catastrophic—from the earth being physically upended to the most violent tempests at sea—are rendered ultimately powerless against the steadfast presence of God. This is not a passive refuge, but an actively intervening one; the hymn emphasizes that before we can even articulate our distress, God is already there, offering aid. This echoes the promise found in Isaiah 65:24, "Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear," illustrating a God intimately acquainted with our needs even before we voice them.
The hymn then transitions to the steadfastness of believers in the face of immense turmoil. Even as the world trembles, the saints, fortified by their faith, remain unyielding. This resilience is rooted in the spiritual stream that nourishes "the city of our God." This imagery powerfully evokes the living water described in John 7:38, where Jesus promises that "rivers of living water will flow from within him" for those who believe. This divine source provides "Life, love, and joy," sustaining the faithful in their "divine abode," a secure dwelling place secured by Zion's monarch, whose faithfulness and power form an unshakeable foundation, much like Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:24-25 about building one’s house on solid rock.
The second part of the hymn escalates this theme, calling Zion to rejoice in her King despite the opposition of Satan and earthly kingdoms. Wesley masterfully portrays God’s sovereign power over all chaos, His almighty voice quieting tumult and causing nations to yield. The hymn draws strength from Israel's history, referencing God’s ancient battles for Jacob, underscoring that the same God who fought for His people then is still their mighty aid today. This historical perspective is crucial, reminding believers that God’s past faithfulness is a guarantor of His present and future protection, as stated in Joshua 1:5, "No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you." Wesley concludes with a powerful call for silence and recognition of God’s supreme authority, as He declares, "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). The hymn’s final stanza solidifies this, with believers resting secure in God’s presence, able to sing defiance to the very gates of hell, a bold affirmation of the victory Christ has already secured, as promised in Matthew 16:18. "God Is The Refuge Of His Saints" is not merely a song of comfort, but a vibrant proclamation of God's unstoppable power and His unwavering commitment to those who trust in Him.