Mariner's Version of Psalm 23

[parthens]

“Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” (2 Kings 6:16)

Throughout World War II, a shocking number of U.S. Merchant Marine and U.S. Army Transport Service vessels were attacked and sunk, resulting heavy casualties. In the face of such danger, Marine Captain J. Rogers composed this “Mariner’s Version” of Psalm 23, filled with powerful angel-thoughts that he entertained day and night, which preserved him from fear and gave him a sense of divine protection throughout the war.

Repeating this psalm meaningfully many times, the captain was able to crowd out fear-thoughts in such a way that the God-thoughts (angel-thoughts) eventually far outnumbered the fear-thoughts. Thus, the captain developed an immunity to fear, avoiding the trap that Job fell into, “The thing which I greatly feared is come upon me.” (Job 3:25)

The Lord is my Pilot;
I shall not drift.
He leadeth me across the dark waters
and steereth me in the deep channels.

He keepeth my Log
and guideth me by the star of holiness
for His Name’s sake.

Yea, though I sail amid
the thunders and tempests of life,
I shall dread no danger,
For Thou art with me;

Thy love and Thy care, they shelter me.
Thou preparest a harbor before me
in the homeland of eternity;

Thou anointest the waves with oil,
and my ship rideth calmly,

Surely sunlight and starlight
shall favor me all the days of my voyaging,
and I will rest in the port of my Lord forever.

(Source: The Mast, September 1948)

[JoanneF]

Absolutely beautiful! Thank you!

[JPalmer]

Thank you so much for this post!

This reminded me of Bicknell Young stating the following on page 97 of The 1936 Primary Class:

There is something going on much more important than just the letter. After Class each day, you should take time to think over what we have done and make it your own. Surely I do not have to tell you that anything that is yours is yours? Take the statement, “Good is all.” We give Mrs. Eddy credit for saying it first, but you ought to say it in your own words and according to your own understanding. If you understand it, it is your understanding you are voicing, and you do not have to be always quoting somebody else. It is the same with anything you may learn in Class, or that you may learn in any other way. If you’ve got it, it’s yours, and it then ought to find natural expression.

I am grateful for the teaching here that has instilled in me the need to make sure this Science is not just being read, but really internalized and made my own so that I can use it in my daily life. I have found the model for that in the support of my practitioner, in Gilbert Carpenter’s analogies, in these Forum posts each week, and now in Captain J. Rogers example. Thank you!

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