Priscilla J. Owens – Will Your Anchor Hold

Priscilla J. Owens was a public and Sunday school teacher in Baltimore, Maryland.  She wrote hymns for children’s services.  Her most famous hymn is Will Your Anchor Hold, also titled We Have an Anchor.  William J. Kirkpatrick wrote the music for this song.

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1. What message does the song communicate?

This song is a series of rhetorical questions asking if we will remain firm in faith amid life’s trials and tribulations.  Will we allow threats of fear, danger, or death prevent us from following Jesus?  For the Christian, this is an emphatic “no”.  We will remain steadfast!  Our reward is entering the great and holy New Jerusalem, with streets paved in gold and spiritual stormy weather will cease.

Score: 10/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

Psalm 107:23-37 sums up this entire song and its Biblical message contained therein.

This song is public domain.

[Verse 1]

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?

Owens asks a few questions about an anchor, a metaphor for the triangular-shaped device that prevents its ship from being swept away from wind and waves.  According to Hebrews 6:19-20, Christ is the hope that secures us when we face the unknown. Jesus is the pathway that brings us through the Old Testament veil that separated us from entering God’s presence.  Thus, Owens’ anchor is hope.

[Refrain]

We have an anchor that keeps the soul
steadfast and sure while the billows roll;

See commentary on Verse 1.

fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love!

This anchor is attached to Jesus, who is our impenetrable defense (Ruth 2:12, 2 Samuel 22:3-4, Psalm 3:3, Psalm 5:11, Psalm 18:30, Psalm 27:1, Psalm 32:7, Psalm 34:22, Psalm 41:2, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 57:1, Psalm 59:1, Psalm 61:3, Psalm 91:1-16, Psalm 118:8, Psalm 121:7-8, Psalm 138:7, Proverbs 18:10, Proverbs 30:5, Nahum 1:7, 2 Thessalonians 3:3, and 1 John 5:18), rooted in Christ’s love for us, presumedly, through His sacrifice (John 3:16, Romans 5:6-8, and 1 John 4:9-10).

[Verse 2]

It is safely moored, ’twill the storm withstand,
For ’tis well secured by the Savior’s hand;
And the cables, passed from His heart to mine,
Can defy that blast, through strength divine.

God bestowed this power unto us, to withstand the storms of this life (1 Corinthians 10:13 and 2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

[Verse 3]

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?

Similar to Verse 1, except the theme is fear.  Scripture says not to be afraid (Genesis 15:1, Joshua 1:9, Deuteronomy 31:6, 1 Chronicles 28:20, Psalm 23:4, Psalm 27:1, Psalm 34:4, Psalm 56:3-4, Psalm 94:19, Psalm 115:11, Psalm 118:6, Isaiah 35:4, Isaiah 41:10-13, Isaiah 43:1, Isaiah 54:4, John 14:25-27, Romans 8:15, Romans 8:38-39, 2 Timothy 1:7, Hebrews 13:5-6, 1 Peter 3:13-14, 1 Peter 5:6-7, and 1 John 4:18).

[Verse 4]

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.

Similar to Verse 1, except the theme is physical death.  Scripture calls us to follow Jesus, even if it kills us (Matthew 10:38, Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, and Luke 14:25-33).  It also quotes from Hebrews 6:19.

[Verse 5]

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?

The song’s final Verse focuses on rewards for remaining faithful amid life’s challenges.  For those of us who endure to the end (Matthew 24:13), we will enter the city of gold: new Jerusalem (Revelation 21:10-27) without hardships (Revelation 21:4 and Revelation 22:3).

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

The personal pronoun “we”, alongside “Savior” and “heavenly shore” points to religion, probably Christianity.  It’s possible that an unbeliever (particularly a Muslim or Jew) to read some other religious savior.  Savior aside, Refrain uses plain language to define what Owens’ means by “anchor”, namely, that it “keeps the soul steadfast and sure”.  This is about remaining faithful to promises offered by this “Savior”, easing interpretation for Verses 1-4.  Verse 5 is the religious person’s heavenly reward for remaining faithful.

Score: 9/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies God that this song proclaims our faithfulness amid life’s challenges.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Priscilla J. Owens’ Will Your Anchor Hold is excellent.  It defines what is meant by “anchor” and ties it (no pun intended) to the Savior, interpreted by Christians and many unbelievers as Jesus.  It calls us to remain firm in our calling to follow Christ amid the storms of life, rewarded with entry into God’s eternal heavenly Kingdom, filled with golden buildings and without suffering, bringing glory to God.  Some unbelievers might interpret this as a different religious “Savior”.

For those looking to add something more traditional, consider adding this gem to your worship roster.

Final Score: 9.5/10

Artist Info

Track: Will Your Anchor Hold (listen to Northern Baptist’s version of the song)

Artist: Priscilla J. Owens

Album:  N/A

Genre:  Hymn

Release Year: 1882

Duration: N/A

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