Paul shipwrecked on Malta, survived a viper bite, healed the sick, and arrived in Rome to preach the gospel with all boldness. Acts 28 is the thunderclap ending of Luke’s two-volume work - the final verse is the entire book’s thesis.

Full sung version coming soon.

Lyrics

When they had escaped they learned that the island was called Malta And the natives showed us no common kindness For they kindled a fire and received us all Because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold

But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks And laid them on the fire a viper came out Because of the heat and fastened on his hand When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand They said to one another no doubt this man is a murderer

Whom though he has escaped from the sea Yet Justice has not allowed to live However he shook off the creature into the fire And suffered no harm They expected that he would have swollen or fallen down dead

But when they had waited a long time And saw that no harm came to him They changed their minds and said he is a god Now in the neighborhood of that place Were lands belonging to the chief of the island

Whose name was Publius Who received us and entertained us courteously three days It happened that the father of Publius lay sick Of fever and of dysentery And Paul entered in to him and prayed

And laying his hands on him healed him When this was done the rest also Who had diseases in the island came and were cured They also honored us with many honors And when we sailed they put on board such things

As we needed After three months we set sail in a ship That had wintered in the island One from Alexandria having for its sign The Twin Brothers

Coming to Syracuse we stayed three days And from there we made a circuit And arrived at Rhegium after one day a south wind Sprang up and we came the next day to Puteoli Where we found brothers and were entreated to stay

With them seven days And so we came to Rome And when we came to Rome Paul was permitted To stay by himself with the soldier that guarded him He said to them men and brothers This salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles

Listen

Acts 28 sung by Psalm Selah. The whole Bible, one chapter at a time.

Published 2026-05-22 · Last updated 2026-06-06
Written by Reid Wender, Editorial Director at Psalmody Press