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.
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; God of my life, I fly to thee In each distressing day.
3 Should friends and kindred, near and dear, Leave me to want, or die, My God will make my life his care, And all my need supply.
4 Wait on the Lord, ye trembling saints And keep your courage up; He'll raise your spirit when it faints, And far exceed your hope.
1 When gloomy thoughts and boding fears The trembling heart invade, And all the face of nature wears A universal shade,--
2 Religion's dictates can assuage The tempest of the soul; And every fear shall cease to rage, At her divine control.
3 When feeble reason, tired and blind, Sinks helpless and afraid, This blest supporter of the mind Affords a powerful aid.
4 O may our hearts confess her power, And find a sweet relief, To brighten every gloomy hour, And soften every grief!
1 No change of times shall ever shock My firm affection, Lord, to thee; For thou hast always been a rock, A fortress and defence to me.
2 Thou my Deliverer art, my God; My trust is in thy mighty power; Thou art my shield from foes abroad, At home my safeguard and my tower.
3 To heaven I made my mournful prayer, To God addressed my humble moan, Who graciously inclined his ear, And heard me from his lofty throne.
4 Who, then, deserves to be adored, But God, on whom my hopes depend? Or who, except the mighty Lord, Can with resistless power defend?
1 If solid happiness we prize, Within our breasts the jewel lies; Nor need we roam abroad: The world has little to bestow; From pious hearts our joys must flow, Hearts that delight in God.
2 To be resigned, when ills betide, Patient, when favors are denied, And pleased with favors given; This is the wise, the virtuous part; This is that incense of the heart, Whose fragrance reaches heaven.
3 Thus through life's changing scenes we'll go, Its checkered paths of joy and woe, With holy care we'll tread: Quit its vain scenes without a tear, Without a trouble or a fear, And mingle with the dead.
