When The Storms Of Life Are Raging

By Charles Albert Tindley

Lyrics

1. When the storms of life are raging, stand by me;
when the storms of life are raging, stand by me;
when the world is tossing me like a ship upon the sea,
Thou who rulest the wind and water, stand by me.

2. In the midst of tribulation, stand by me;
in the midst of tribulation, stand by me;
when the host of hell assail, and my strength begins to fail,
Thou who never lost a battle, stand by me.

3. In the midst of faults and failures, stand by me;
in the midst of faults and failures, stand by me;
when I’ve done the best I can, and my friends
misunderstand,
Thou who knowest all about me, stand by me.

4. In the midst of persecution, stand by me;
in the midst of persecution, stand by me;
when my foes in war array, undertake to stop my way,
Thou who rescued Paul and Silas, stand by me.

5. When I’m growing old and feeble, stand by me;
when I’m growing old and feeble, stand by me;
when my life becomes a burden, and I’m nearing
chilly Jordan,
O Thou Lily of the Valley, stand by me.

Bible Reference

Psalm 46:1

About This Hymn

“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.