STUDY / LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE / HYMNS
A Word from JESUS calms the sea Peter walking upon the water
John Newton printed it in 1779 in Olney Hymns, Book I, no. 87, under Matthew 14:28–31.
WRITTEN BY
John Newton 1725–1807
PRINTED
1779 Olney Hymns · no. 87
METRE
Common Metre 8.6.8.6 · 8 stanzas
WRITTEN ON
Matthew 14:28–31 the verse printed above it
The hymn, and the Scripture in it
All 8 stanzas as Newton printed them, with the verses their lines echo beside them. Point at a line to join it to its verse; click to read the passage.
SHARED WORDSthe verse shares the line's wording ECHOproposed by an AI model, confirmed by a separate check Not the author's own notes
AMONG THE SCRIPTURES
The stanzas at the centre; around them, every book its heading and its echoes come from, Old Testament on the left and New on the right. Choose a stanza or a book.
a line echoes this verse its heading or an echo comes from here
STANZA I
A Word from JESUS calms the sea
A Word from JESUS calms the sea,
The stormy wind controls;
And gives repose and liberty
To tempest–tossed souls.
Where Newton found it
Newton printed the hymn under Matthew 14:28–31. The line that comes closest to it is marked.
28“Lord, if it is You,” Peter replied, “command me to come to You on the water.” 29“Come,” said Jesus. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?” MATTHEW 14:28–31 · BEREAN STANDARD BIBLE READ MATTHEW 14
The storm increased on every side, I felt my spirit shrink; And soon, with Peter, loud I cried, LORD, save me, or I sink.” STANZA VI
Its place in the book
Book I of Olney Hymns walks through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, one hymn per passage: 141 hymns. This is number 87. Point at a tick to see the hymn; click it to open that hymn.
NO. 87 · JOHN NEWTON · THIS HYMN A Word from JESUS calms the sea
Rooted in Scripture. Open for discovery.
A place to read slowly, ask deeply, and follow the connections. Scripture, study and the voices of Christian history, brought together for a lifetime of learning.
SPEND TIME IN THE WORD
- Open the reader
- Books & reading progress
- Compare Scripture editions
- Find a passage
FOLLOW YOUR QUESTIONS
- Study collections
- People & places
- Faith & apologetics
- Stories of faith
A library with a paper trail.
Meet the authors. Explore the collection. Trace each work to its source.
Download the code.
Open source on GitHub.