When The Storms Of Life Are Raging

“When the Storms of Life Are Raging,” also known as “Stand by Me,” was written in 1905 by Charles Albert Tindley, one of the most significant African American hymn writers of the early twentieth century. The hymn is a prayerful cry for God’s presence and help in times of trial. With poetic imagery, Tindley depicts the storms of life, the raging tempests, and the perils that threaten the soul, yet within each verse he turns to the plea “stand by me,” expressing unshakable faith in the Lord’s power to deliver and sustain.

Rooted in the spirit of the Psalms, the hymn resonates with believers who face suffering, persecution, or personal struggles. Each stanza applies the prayer to a different aspect of life, from facing enemies, to trials, to the hour of death, making it a universal hymn of comfort. The strength of the text is its blend of honesty about hardship with steadfast reliance upon Christ as refuge and strength. It reflects the faith of a man who personally knew the weight of trials yet clung to the promises of God’s Word.

The hymn has endured as one of Tindley’s most beloved works, widely sung in churches across denominational and cultural lines. Its influence can even be traced into gospel and spiritual traditions, and it has been cherished by generations as a source of encouragement and resilience. Through its heartfelt prayer, “When the Storms of Life Are Raging” continues to remind Christians that no matter how fierce the storms may be, the Lord is a very present help in trouble and will never forsake His children.