It occurs to me that the hymn you might be looking for has, as its second line "like the wideness of the sea". The meter is 8.7.8.7.D

The lyrics are here:

http://hymnal.oremus.org/hwiki/index.php/There's_a_wideness_in_God's_mercy

There's a wideness in God's mercy
like the wideness of the sea;
there's a kindness in his justice,
which is more than liberty.
There is welcome for the sinner,
and more graces for the good;
there is mercy with the Savior;
there is healing in his blood.

There is no place where earth's sorrows
are more felt than in heaven;
there is no place where earth's failings
have such kind judgment given.
There is plentiful redemption
in the blood that has been shed;
there is joy for all the members
in the sorrows of the Head.

For the love of God is broader
than the measure of man's mind;
and the heart of the Eternal
is most wonderfully kind.
If our love were but more faithful,
we should take him at his word;
and our life would be thanksgiving
for the goodness of the Lord.



Words: Frederick William Faber, 1862;

Meter: 87 87 D

This old Dutch tune has been used for several different hymns, including several in modern Catholic hymnals, but I am looking for a well-known Protestant set of lyrics. These are NOT the John Wesley lyrics "Hail Thou Once-Despised Jesus", but a different set, of which all I can remember is the second line of the first verse, "like the waters of the sea".
If anyone can help?