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Saturday, May 31, 2014

Jesus still lead on

Jesus still lead on,
Till our rest be won;
And although the way be cheerless,
We will follow, calm and fearless;
Guide us by Thy hand
To our fatherland.

If the way be drear,
If the foe be near,
Let not faithless fears o’ertake us,
Let not faith and hope forsake us;
For through many a foe
To our home we go.

When we seek relief
From a long felt grief,
When temptations come alluring,
Make us patient and enduring;
Show us that bright shore
Where we weep no more.

Jesus, still lead on,
Till our rest be won;
Heavenly Leader, still direct us,
Still support, console, protect us,
Till we safely stand
In our fatherland.
       Nicolaus Ludwig v. Zinzendorf  Tr Jane Borthwick, altered

Friday, May 30, 2014

How blessed, from the bonds of sin

How blessed, from the bonds of sin
And earthly fetters free,
In singleness of heart and aim
Thy servant, Lord, to be!
The hardest toil to undertake
With joy at Thy command,
The meanest office to receive
With meekness at Thy hand!

With willing heart and longing eyes
To watch before Thy gate,
Ready to run the weary race,
To bear the heavy weight;
No voice of thunder to expect,
But follow, calm and still,
For love can easily divine
The One Beloved's will.

Thus may we serve Thee, Gracious Lord!
Thus ever Thine alone,
Our souls and bodies given to Thee,
The purchase Thou hast won;
Through evil or through good report
Still keeping at Thy side.
By life or death, in this poor flesh
Let Christ be magnified!

How happily the working days
In this dear service fly!
How rapidly the closing hour,
The time of rest, draws nigh!
When all the faithful gather home,
A joyful company.
And ever where the Master is,
Shall His blest servants be.
       Karl Johann Philipp Spitta Tr Jane Borthwick

Thursday, May 29, 2014

O God of Jacob, by Whose hand

O God of Jacob, by Whose hand
Thy people still are fed;
Who through this weary pilgrimage
Hast all our fathers led!

To Thee our humble vows we raise,
To Thee address our prayer;
And in Thy kind and faithful breast
Deposit all our care.

Through each perplexing path of life
Our wandering footsteps guide;
Give us each day our daily bread,
And raiment fit provide.

Oh, spread Thy covering wings around
Till all our wanderings cease,
And at our Father's loved abode
Our souls arrive in peace.

To Thee, as to our covenant God,
We’ll our whole selves resign;
And thankful, own that all we are
And all we have is Thine.
        Philip Doddridge, altered

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

For all the saints, who from their labors rest

For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
Alleluia!  Alleluia!

Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might;
Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia!  Alleluia!

O may Thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
And win, with them, the victor's crown of gold.
Alleluia!  Alleluia!

O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia!  Alleluia!

The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful warriors cometh rest;
Sweet is the calm of Paradise the blest.
Alleluia!  Alleluia!

But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day:
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of Glory passes on His way.
Alleluia!  Alleluia!

From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
Singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia!  Alleluia!
         William Walsham How

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

The saints of God! their conflict past

The saints of God! their conflict past,
And life's long battle won at last,
No more they need the shield or sword:
They cast them down before the Lord.
O happy saints, forever blest,
At Jesus’ feet how safe your rest!

The saints of God! their wanderings done,
No more their weary course they run,
No more they faint, no more they fall,
No foes oppress, no fears appal.
O happy saints, forever blest,
In that dear home how sweet your rest!

The saints of God! life's voyage o'er,
Safe landed on that blissful shore,
No stormy tempests now they dread,
No roaring billows lift their head:
O happy saints, forever blest,
In that calm haven of your rest!

The saints of God their vigil keep,
While yet their mortal bodies sleep,
Till from the dust they too shall rise
And soar triumphant to the skies:
O happy saints, rejoice and sing;
He quickly comes, your Lord and King!

O God of saints! to Thee we cry;
O Saviour! plead for us on high;
O Holy Ghost! our Guide and Friend,
Grant us Thy grace till life shall end;
That with all saints our rest may be
In that bright paradise with Thee!
        William Dalrymple Maclagan

Monday, May 26, 2014

What are these in bright array,

What are these in bright array,
This innumerable throng,
Round the altar, night and day,
Hymning one triumphant song?
"Worthy is the Lamb, once slain,
Blessing, honor, glory, power,
Wisdom, riches to obtain,
New dominion ev’ry hour."

These through fiery trials trod;
These from great affliction came;
Now, before the throne of God,
Sealed with His almighty Name,
Clad in raiment pure and white,
Victor-palms in every hand,
Through their great Redeemer's might,
More than conquerors they stand.

Hunger, thirst, disease unknown,
On immortal fruits they feed;
Them the Lamb amidst the throne
Shall to living fountains lead;
Joy and gladness banish sighs;
Perfect love dispels all fears;
And for ever from their eyes
God shall wipe away the tears.
        James Montgomery

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Great is the Lord our God

Great is the Lord our God,
And let His praise be great;
He makes His churches His abode,
His most delightful seat.

These temples of His grace,
How beautiful they stand!
The honors of our native place,
And bulwarks of our land.

In Zion God is known
A refuge in distress;
How bright has His salvation shone
Through all her palaces!

Oft have our fathers told,
Our eyes have often seen,
How well our God secures the fold,
Where His own sheep have been.

In every new distress
We'll to His house repair,
We’ll think upon His wondrous grace,
And seek deliverance there.
       Isaac Watts

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Speed Thy servants, Savior, speed them

Speed Thy servants, Savior, speed them;
Thou art Lord of winds and waves;
They were bound, but Thou hast freed them;
Now they go to free the slaves;
Be Thou with them!  Be Thou with them!
’Tis Thine arm alone that saves.

Friends, and home, and all forsaking,
Lord, they go at Thy command,
As their stay Thy promise taking,
While they traverse sea and land:
O be with them!  O be with them!
Lead them safely by the hand.

When no fruit appears to cheer them
And they seem to toil in vain,
Then in mercy, Lord, draw near them,
Then their sinking hopes sustain;
Thus supported,
Let their zeal revive again.

In the midst of opposition
Let them trust, O Lord, in Thee;
When success attends their mission,
Let Thy servants humbler be;
Never leave them,
Till Thy face in Heaven they see.
        Thomas Kelly

Friday, May 23, 2014

Lord of all power and might

Lord of all power and might,
Father of love and light,
  Speed on Thy Word;
O let the gospel sound
All the wide world around.
Wherever man is found;
  God speed Thy Word!

Lo, what embattled foes,
Stern in their hate, oppose
  God’s holy Word!
One for His truth we stand,
Strong in His own right hand,
Firm as a martyr-band;-
  God shield His Word!

Onward shall be our course,
Despite of fraud or force;
  God is before;
His Word ere long shall run
Free as the noonday sun;
His purpose must be done;-
  God bless His Word!
        Hugh Stowell

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Rise, ye children of salvation

Rise, ye children of salvation,
All who cleave to Christ, the Head!
Wake, arise, O mighty nation,
Ere the foe on Zion tread:
He draws nigh and would defy
All the hosts of God Most High.

Saints and heroes, long before us,
Firmly on this ground have stood;
See their banner waving o'er us,
Conquerors through the Saviour's Blood!
Ground we hold, whereon of old
Fought the faithful and the bold.

Fighting, we shall be victorious
By the Blood of Christ our Lord;
On our foreheads, bright and glorious,
Shines the witness of His Word;
Spear and shield on battlefield,
His great Name; we cannot yield.

When His servants stand before Him,
Each receiving his reward,-
When His saints in light adore Him,
Giving glory to the Lord,-
"Victory!" our songs shall be,
Like the thunder of the sea.
       Justus Falckner Tr Emma Frances Bevan

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Glorious things of thee are spoken

Glorious things of thee are spoken,
Zion, City of our God;
He, Whose word cannot be broken,
Formed thee for His own abode.
On the Rock of Ages founded,
What can shake thy sure repose?
With salvation's walls surrounded,
Thou may’st smile at all thy foes.

See the streams of living waters,
Springing from eternal love,
Well supply thy sons and daughters,
And all fear of want remove.
Who can faint while such a river
Ever flows their thirst to assuage,
Grace, which, like the Lord, the Giver,
Never fails from age to age?

Round each habitation hovering,
See the cloud and fire appear
For a glory and a covering,
Showing that the Lord is near;
Thus deriving from their banner
Light by night and shade by day,
Safe they feed upon the manna
Which He gives them when they pray.

Saviour, if on Zion’s city
I, through grace, a member am,
Let the world deride or pity,
I will glory in Thy Name.
Fading is the worldling’s pleasure,
All his boasted pomp and show;
Solid joys and lasting treasure
None but Zion’s children know.
         ohn Newton

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Thy Word, O Lord, like gentle dews,

Thy Word, O Lord, like gentle dews,
Falls soft on hearts that pine;
Lord, to Thy garden ne’er refuse
This heavenly balm of Thine.
Watered by Thee, let ev’ry tree
Forth blossom to Thy praise,
By grace of Thine bear fruit divine,
Through all the coming days.

Thy Word is like a flaming sword,
A wedge that cleaveth stone;
Keen as a fire, so burns Thy Word,
And pierceth flesh and bone.
Let it go forth o’er all the earth
To cleanse our hearts within,
To show Thy power in Satan’s hour,
And break the might of sin.

Thy Word, a wondrous guiding star,
On pilgrim hearts doth rise,
Leads those to God who dwell afar,
And makes the simple wise.
Let not its light e’er sink in night;
In every spirit shine,
That none may miss heaven’s final bliss,
Led by Thy light divine.
       Carl Bernhard Garve  Tr Catherine Winkworth, altered

Monday, May 19, 2014

Our blest Redeemer, ere He breathed

Our blest Redeemer, ere He breathed
His tender last farewell
A Guide, a Comforter bequeathed
With us to dwell.

He came sweet influence to impart,
A gracious, willing Guest,
While He can find one humble heart
Wherein to rest.

And His that gentle voice we hear,
Soft as the breath of even,
That checks each thought, that calms each fear,
And speaks of heaven.

And every virtue we possess,
And every victory won,
And every thought of holiness,
Is His alone.

Spirit of purity and grace,
Our weakness, pitying, see;
O make our hearts Thy dwelling place,
And worthier Thee.
         Harriet Auber

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Where high the heavenly temple stands

Where high the heavenly temple stands,
The house of God not made with hands,
A great High Priest our nature wears,
The Saviour of mankind appears.

He Who for men their surety stood,
And poured on earth His precious Blood,
Pursues in heaven His mighty plan,
The Saviour and the Friend of man.

Though now ascended up on high,
He bends on earth a brother’s eye;
Partaker of the human name,
He knows the frailty of our frame.

In every pang that rends the heart
The Man of Sorrows had a part;
He sympathizes with our grief,
And to the sufferer sends relief.

With boldness therefore at the throne
Let us make all our sorrows known,
And ask the aid of heav’nly power,
To help us in the evil hour.
                     Michael Bruce

Saturday, May 17, 2014

“No separation!” O my soul

“No separation!”  O my soul!
’Tis God who speaks the word;
So close the Spirit thee unites
With Christ, thy risen Lord.

“No separation!”  Thou art His,
And His for evermore;
Upon the cross thy debt He paid,
And all thy judgment bore.

“No separation!”  Precious word!
In it, my soul, be glad;
Loved with an everlasting love,
And one with Jesus made.

“No separation!”  Life nor death,
Things present nor to come,
Can part thee from His precious care,
Or rob thee of thy home.

“No separation!”  Linked with Him,
His glory-all is thine;
Oh, wondrous love, that thus could plan
A union so divine!
         Albert Midlane

Friday, May 16, 2014

Alleluia! sing to Jesus

Alleluia! sing to Jesus;
His the sceptre, His the throne;
Alleluia! His the triumph,
His the victory alone.
Hark! the songs of peaceful Sion
Thunder like a mighty flood:
“Jesus out of ev’ry nation
Hath redeemed us by His Blood.”

Alleluia! not as orphans
We are left in sorrow now;
Alleluia! He is near us,
Faith believes, nor questions how.
Though the cloud from sight received Him,
When the forty days were o’er,
Shall our hearts forget His promise:
“I am with you evermore?”

Alleluia! Bread of Heaven,
Thou on earth our food and stay,
Alleluia! here the sinful
Flee to Thee from day to day;
Intercessor, Friend of sinners,
Earth’s Redeemer, plead for me,
Where the songs of all the sinless
Sweep across the crystal sea.
        William Chatterton Dix

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Look from Thy sphere of endless day

Look from Thy sphere of endless day,
O God of mercy and of might!
In pity look on those who stray,
Benighted in this land of light.

In peopled vale, in lonely glen,
In crowded mart, by stream or sea,
How many of the sons of men
Hear not the message sent from Thee!

Send forth Thy heralds, Lord, to call
The thoughtless young, the hardened old,
A scattered, homeless flock, till all
Be gathered to Thy peaceful fold.

Send them Thy mighty Word, to speak
Till faith shall dawn, and doubt depart,
To awe the bold, to stay the weak,
And bind and heal the broken heart.

Then all these wastes,-a dreary scene,
That fills with sadness as we gaze,-
Shall grow with living waters green
And lift to heaven the voice of praise.
        William Cullen Bryant, altered

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

A hymn of glory let us sing

A hymn of glory let us sing;
New hymns throughout the world shall ring;
By a new way none ever trod,
Christ mounteth to the throne of God.

May our affections thither tend,
And thither constantly ascend,
Where, seated on the Father’s throne,
Thee, reigning in the heavens, we own!

Be Thou our present Joy, O Lord,
Who wilt be ever our Reward;
And as the countless ages flee,
May all our glory be in Thee!
     Bede, Tr. Elizabeth Rundle Charles

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Christ the Lord is risen today

Christ the Lord is risen today;
Christians, haste your vows to pay;
Offer ye your praises meet
At the Paschal Victim’s feet.

For the sheep the Lamb hath bled,
Sinless in the sinner’s stead;
“Christ is ris’n,” today we cry;
Now He lives no more to die.

Christ, the Victim undefiled,
God and man hath reconciled;
While in strange and awful strife
Met together death and Life:

Christians, on this happy day
Haste with joy your vows to pay;
“Christ is ris’n,” today we cry;
Now He lives no more to die.

Christ, Who once for sinners bled,
Now the first-born from the dead,
Throned in endless might and power,
Lives and reigns forevermore.

Hail, Eternal Hope on high!
Hail, Thou King of victory!
Hail, Thou Prince of Life adored!
Help and save us, Gracious Lord.
        Medieval Sequence Tr Jane Eliza Leeson

Monday, May 12, 2014

O perfect life of love

O perfect life of love!
All, all is finished now:
All that He left His throne above
To do for us below.

No work is left undone
Of all the Father willed;
His toil, His sorrows, one by one,
The Scripture have fulfilled.

No pain that we can share
But He has felt its smart;
All forms of human grief and care
Have pierced that tender heart.

In perfect love He dies;
For me He dies, for me;
O all-atoning Sacrifice,
I cling by faith to Thee.

Work then, O Lord, in me,
As Thou for me hast wrought;
And let my love the answer be
To grace Thy love hast brought.
       Henry Williams Baker

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Ah, holy Jesus, how hast Thou offended

Ah, holy Jesus, how hast Thou offended,
That man to judge Thee hath in hate pretended?
By foes derided, by Thine own rejected,
          O most afflicted.

Who was the guilty?  Who brought this upon Thee?
Alas, my treason, Jesus, hath undone Thee.
’Twas I, Lord Jesus, I it was denied Thee:
          I crucified Thee.

Lo, the good Shepherd for the sheep is offered;
The slave hath sinned, and the Son hath suffered;
For man’s atonement, while he nothing heedeth,
          God intercedeth.

For me, kind Jesus, was Thine Incarnation,
Thy mortal sorrow, and Thy life’s oblation;
Thy death of anguish and Thy bitter passion,
          For my salvation.

Therefore, kind Jesus, since I cannot pay Thee,
I do adore Thee, and will ever pray Thee,
Think on Thy pity and Thy love unswerving,
          Not my deserving.
                    Johann Heermann Tr Robert Bridges

Saturday, May 10, 2014

My Lord, my Master, at Thy feet adoring

My Lord, my Master, at Thy feet adoring,
I see Thee bowed beneath Thy load of woe;
For me, a sinner, is Thy lifeblood pouring;
For Thee, my Saviour, scarce my tears will flow.

Thine own disciple to the Jews hath sold Thee,
With friendship's kiss and loyal word he came;
How oft of faithful love my lips have told Thee,
While Thou hast seen my falsehood and my shame!

With taunts and scoffs they mock what seems Thy weakness,
With blows and outrage adding pain to pain;
Thou art unmoved and steadfast in Thy meekness;
When I am wronged, how quickly I complain!

My Lord, my Savior, when I see Thee wearing
Upon Thy bleeding brow the crown of thorn,
Shall I for pleasure live, or shrink from bearing
Whate'er may be my lot of pain or scorn?

O Victim of Thy love! O pangs most healing!
O saving death! O fruitful agonies!
I pray Thee, Christ, before Thee humbly kneeling,
For ever keep Thy Cross before mine eyes.
        Jacques Bridaine  Tr Thomas Benson Pollock

Friday, May 9, 2014

Jesus, Refuge of the weary

Jesus, Refuge of the weary,
Object of the spirit’s love,
Fountain in life’s desert dreary,
Savior from the world above;
O how oft Thine eyes, offended,
Gaze upon the sinner’s fall;
Yet upon the Cross extended,
Thou didst bear the pain of all.

Do we pass that Cross unheeding,
Breathing no repentant vow,
Though we see Thee wounded, bleeding,
See Thy thorn-encircled brow?
Yet Thy sinless death has brought us
Life eternal, peace, and rest;
Only what Thy grace hath taught us
Calms the sinner’s stormy breast.

Jesus, may our hearts be burning
With more fervent love for Thee;
May our eyes be ever turning
To Thy Cross of agony;
Till in glory, parted never
From the blessed Saviour’s side,
Graven in our hearts for ever,
Dwell the Cross, the Crucified.
     Girolamo Savonarola Tr Jane Francesca Wilde

Thursday, May 8, 2014

We sing the praise of Him who died

We sing the praise of Him who died,
Of Him Who died upon the Cross;
The sinners' hope let men deride,
For this we count the world but loss.

Inscribed upon that Cross we see,
In shining letters, “God is Love.”
He bears our sins upon the Tree,
He brings us mercy from above.

The Cross! it takes our guilt away;
It holds the fainting spirit up;
It cheers with hope the gloomy day,
And sweetens ev’ry bitter cup.

It makes the coward spirit brave,
And nerves the feeble arm for fight;
It takes all terror from the grave,
And gilds the bed of death with light.

The balm of life, the cure of woe,
The measure and the pledge of love,
The sinners’ refuge here below,
The angels’ theme in heaven above.
         Thomas Kelly

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

O God, I love Thee; not that my poor love

O God, I love Thee; not that my poor love
May win me entrance to Thy Heaven above,
Nor yet that strangers to Thy love must know
The bitterness of everlasting woe.

But, Jesus, Thou art mine, and I am Thine:
Clasped to Thy bosom by Thy arms divine,
Who on the cruel Cross for me hast borne
The nails, the spear, and man’s unpitying scorn.

No thought can fathom and no tongue express
Thy griefs, Thy toils, Thy anguish measureless,
Thy death, O Lamb of God the undefiled,-
And all for me, Thy wayward sinful child.

How can I choose but love Thee, God’s dear Son,
O Jesus, loveliest, and most loving One!
Were there no Heaven to gain, no hell to flee,
For what Thou art alone I must love Thee.

Not for the hope of glory or reward,
But even as Thyself hast loved me, Lord,
I love Thee, and will love Thee and adore,
Who art my King, my God, for evermore.
        Francis Xavier  Tr. Edward Henry Bickersteth

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Rejoice, all ye believers

Rejoice, all ye believers,
And let your lights appear!
The evening is advancing
And darker night is near.
The Bridegroom is arising,
And soon will He draw nigh.
Up! pray, and watch, and wrestle-
At midnight comes the cry!

The watchers on the mountain
Proclaim the Bridegroom near;
Go meet Him as He cometh,
With hallelujahs clear.
The marriage feast is waiting,
The gates wide open stand;
Up, up, ye heirs of glory;
The Bridegroom is at hand!

Ye saints, who here in patience
Your cross and sufferings bore,
Shall live and reign for ever,
When sorrow is no more.
Around the throne of glory
The Lamb ye shall behold,
In triumph cast before Him
Your diadems of gold!

Our Hope and Expectation,
O Jesus, now appear;
Arise, Thou Sun so longed for,
O’er this benighted sphere!
With hearts and hands uplifted,
We plead,  O Lord, to see
The day of earth’s redemption,
That brings us unto Thee!
       Laurentius Laurenti Tr Sarah Borthwick Findlater

Monday, May 5, 2014

Wake, awake, for night is flying

Wake, awake, for night is flying,
The watchmen on the heights are crying:
  Awake, Jerusalem, at last!
Midnight hears the welcome voices,
And at the thrilling cry rejoices:
  Come forth, ye virgins, night is past!
    The Bridegroom comes awake,
    Your lamps with gladness take;
        Hallelujah!
And for His marriage feast prepare,
For ye must go to meet Him there.

Zion hears the watchmen singing,
And all her heart with joy is springing;
  She wakes, she rises from her gloom;
For her Lord comes down all-glorious,
The Strong in grace, in truth Victorious,
  Her Star is risen, her Light is come!
    Ah, come, Thou blessed Lord!
    O Jesus, Son of God,
      Hallelujah!
We follow till the halls we see
Where Thou hast bid us sup with Thee.

Now let all the heavens adore Thee,
And men and angels sing before Thee,
  With harp and cymbal's clearest tone;
Of one pearl each shining portal,
Where we are with the choir immortal
  Of angels round Thy dazzling throne;
    Nor eye hath seen, nor ear
    Hath yet attained to hear
      What there is ours;
But we rejoice, and sing to Thee
Our hymn of joy eternally.
          Philipp Nicolai, Tr. Catherine Winkworth

Sunday, May 4, 2014

O Saviour, bless us ere we go

O Saviour, bless us ere we go;
Thy Word into our minds instill;
And make our lukewarm hearts to glow
With lowly love and fervent will.
Through life's long day, and death's dark night,
O gentle Jesus, be our Light.

The day is done, its hours have run,
And Thou hast taken count of all,
The scanty triumphs grace hath won,
The broken vow, the frequent fall.
Through life's long day, and death's dark night,
O gentle Jesus, be our Light.

Grant us, O Lord, from evil ways
True absolution and release;
And bless us more than in past days
With purity and inward peace.
Through life's long day, and death’s dark night,
O gentle Jesus, be our Light.

Do more than pardon:  give us joy,
Sweet fear and sober liberty,
And loving hearts without alloy,
That only long to be like Thee.
Through life’s long day, and death’s dark night,
O gentle Jesus, be our Light.

Labor is sweet for Thou hast toiled;
And care is light for Thou hast cared;
Ah, never let our works be soiled
With self, or by deceit ensnared.
Through life’s long day, and death’s dark night,
O gentle Jesus, be our Light.

For all we love, the poor, the sad,
The sinful, unto Thee we call;
O let Thy mercy make us glad;
Thou art our Jesus and our All.
Through life's long day, and death's dark night,
O gentle Jesus, be our Light.
          Frederick William Faber

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Evening and morning

     Evening and morning,
     Sunset and dawning,
     Wealth, peace and gladness,
     Comfort in sadness,
These are Thy works; all the glory be Thine!
     Times without number,
     Awake or in slumber,
     Thine eye observes us,
     From danger preserves us,
     Causing Thy mercy upon us to shine.

     Father, O hear me;
     Pardon and spare me;
     Calm all my terrors,
     Blot out my errors,
That by Thine eyes they may no more be scanned.
     Order my goings;
     Direct all my doings;
     As it may please Thee,
     Retain or release me;
     All I commit to Thy Fatherly hand.

     Griefs of God’s sending
     Soon have an ending;
     Clouds may be pouring,
     Wind and wave roaring;
Sunshine will come when the tempest has past.
     Joys still increasing,
     And peace never ceasing,
     Fountains that dry not,
     And roses that die not,
     Blooming in Eden, await me at last.
                      Paul Gerhardt  Tr Richard Massie

Friday, May 2, 2014

Round me falls the night

 Round me falls the night;
     Saviour, be my Light;
Through the hours in darkness shrouded
Let me see Thy face unclouded,
     Let Thy glory shine
     In this heart of mine.

     Earthly work is done,
     Earthly sounds are none;
Rest in sleep and silence seeking;
Let me hear Thee softly speaking;
     In my spirit's ear
     Whisper, "I am near."

     Darkened now each ray
     O’er the travell’ers way;
Let me know that Thou hast found me,
Let me feel Thine arms around me,
     Sure from every ill,
     Thou wilt guard me still.

     Blessed, heavenly Light,
     Shining through earth's night;
Voice, that oft of love hast told me;
Arms, so strong to clasp and hold me;
     Thou Thy watch wilt keep,
     Saviour, o'er my sleep.
            William Romanis

Thursday, May 1, 2014

The radiant morn hath passed away

The radiant morn hath passed away,
And spent too soon her golden store;
The shadows of departing day
Creep on once more.

Our life is but an autumn sun,
Its glorious noon how quickly past;
Lead us, O Christ, our lifework done,
Safe home at last.

O! by Thy soul inspiring grace
Uplift our hearts to realms on high;
Help us to look to that bright place
Beyond the sky;

Where light, and life, and joy, and peace
In undivided empire reign,
And thronging angels never cease
Their deathless strain;

Where saints are clothed in spotless white,
And evening shadows never fall,
Where Thou, eternal Light of Light,
Art Lord of all.
     Godfrey Thring