Chapter 102
1 To Thee, my G.o.d, my days are known; My soul enjoys the thought; My actions all before thy face, Nor are my faults forgot.
2 Each secret breath devotion vents Is vocal to thine ear; And all my walks of daily life Before thine eye appear.
3 Each golden hour of beaming light Is gilded by thy rays; And dark affliction's midnight gloom A present G.o.d surveys.
4 Full in thy view through life I pa.s.s, And in thy view I die; And when each mortal bond is broke, Shall find my G.o.d is nigh.
617. C. M. Tate & Brady.
Praising G.o.d through all Changes.
1 Through all the changing scenes of life, In trouble and in joy, The praises of my G.o.d shall still My heart and tongue employ.
2 Of his deliverance I will boast, Till all who are distressed From my example comfort take, And charm their griefs to rest.
3 The hosts of G.o.d encamp around The dwellings of the just; Deliverance he affords to all Who in his succor trust.
4 O make but trial of his love!
Experience will decide How blest they are, and only they, Who in his truth confide.
618. S. M. Watts.
Trusting in G.o.d.
1 From early dawning light Till evening shades arise, For thy salvation, Lord, I wait, With ever-longing eyes.
2 Remember all thy grace, And lead me in thy truth; Forgive the sins of riper days, And follies of my youth.
3 The Lord is
619. C. M. Cowper.
Resignation and Trust.
1 O Lord, my best desire fulfil, And help me to resign Life, health and comfort to thy will, And make thy pleasure mine.
2 Why should I shrink at thy command, Whose love forbids my fears?
Or tremble at thy gracious hand That wipes away my tears?
3 No! let me rather freely yield What most I prize, to thee; Who never hast a good withheld, Or wilt withhold from me.
4 But ah! my inmost spirit cries, Still bind me to thy sway; Else the next cloud that veils the skies, Drives all these thoughts away.
620. L. M. Bowring.
The Same.
1 On light-beams breaking from above, The eternal course of mercy runs; And by ten thousand cords of love Our heavenly Father guides his sons.
2 Amidst affliction's thickest host, And sorrow's darkest, mightiest band, The heavenly cord is drawn the most, And most is felt the heavenly hand.
3 Oh, be it mine to feel, to see Through earth's perplexed and varying road, The cords that link us, G.o.d, to thee, And draw us to thine own abode.
621. L. M. Norton.
Trust and Submission.
1 My G.o.d, I thank thee! may no thought E'er deem thy chastis.e.m.e.nts severe; But may this heart, by sorrow taught, Calm each wild wish, each idle fear.
2 Thy mercy bids all nature bloom; The sun s.h.i.+nes bright, and man is gay; Thine equal mercy spreads the gloom, That darkens o'er his little day.
3 Full many a throb of grief and pain Thy frail and erring child must know: But not one prayer is breathed in vain, Nor does one tear unheeded flow.
4 Thy various messengers employ; Thy purposes of love fulfil; And 'mid the wreck of human joy, Let kneeling faith adore thy will.
622. C. M. Watts.
Confidence in G.o.d.
1 Soon as I heard my Father say, "Ye children, seek my grace,"
My heart replied without delay, "I'll seek my Father's face."
2 Let not thy face be hid from me, Nor frown my soul away; G.o.d of my life, I fly to thee In each distressing day.