Hymn From Moby Dick

I currently find myself reading Moby Dick by Herman Melville.  Call me unrounded, but this is one book that I have never read before.   I suppose it is just something that I missed along the way  - although so far, I am enjoying it much more than The Great Gatsby, which supposedly is The Great American Novel.

At any rate, in the early part of the book the main character (Ishmael) enters a chapel and sits for the service, during which a hymn is sung.  I enjoyed the hymn so much I thought I would share:

" The ribs and terrors in the whale
Arched over me a dismal gloom,
While all God's sun-lit waves rolled by,
And lift me deepening down to doom.

I saw the opening maw of hell,
With endless pains and sorrows there;
Which none but they that feel can tell -
Oh, I was plunging to despair.

In black distress, I called my God,
When I could scarce believe him mine,
He bowed his ear to my complaints -
No more the whale did me confine.

With speed he flew to my relief,
As on a radiant dolphin borne;
Awful, yet bright, as lightning shone
The face of my Deliverer God.

My songs forever shall record
That terrible, that joyful hour;
I give the glory to my God,
His all the mercy and the power."