“Will Your Anchor Hold” (sometimes titled “We Have an Anchor”) was written in 1882 by Priscilla Jane Owen. Owen was a Sunday school teacher at the Union Square Methodist Episcopal Churchin Baltimore, Maryland. She wrote a number of hymns and songs for her pupils; this is the best known today. The hymn has always been closely associated with the Boys’ Brigade which has the motto, “Sure and Stedfast”. It is the official hymn of Dollar Academy, an independent day and boarding school in Scotland, where it is known as the “Dollar Anthem”. The words were inspired by Hebrews 6:19: “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast…”, although other Biblical texts are also referenced in the verses of the hymn¹. Ask yourself the same rhetorical questions before the Lord this morning and answer honestly “what is your anchor in life?”. I pray your answer will be the refrain of this song; enjoy!

Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
when the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,
will your anchor drift, or firm remain?

Refrain
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
steadfast and sure while the billows roll;
fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love!

Will your anchor hold in the straits of fear,
when the breakers roar and the reef is near?
While the surges rage, and the wild winds blow,
shall the angry waves then your bark o’erflow?

Refrain

Will your anchor hold in the floods of death,
when the waters cold chill your latest breath?
On the rising tide you can never fail,
while your anchor holds within the veil.

Refrain

Will your eyes behold through the morning light
the city of gold and the harbour bright?
Will you anchor safe by the heavenly shore,
when life’s storms are past for evermore?

Refrain

¹wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Your_Anchor_Hold