Anon.
356 Ward. L.M.
_Psalm 46._ (849)
G.o.d is the refuge of his saints, When storms of sharp distress invade.
Ere we can offer our complaints, Behold him present with his aid.
2 Let mountains from their seats be hurled Down to the deep, and buried there; Convulsions shake the solid world;-- Our faith shall never yield to fear.
3 There is a stream whose gentle flow Supplies the city of our G.o.d; Life, love, and joy still gliding through, And watering our divine abode:--
4 That sacred stream, thy holy word,-- That all our raging fear controls: Sweet peace thy promises afford, And give new strength to fainting souls.
Isaac Watts, 1719.
357 Sessions. L.M.
_The Offices of Faith._
Faith is a living pow"r from heaven Which grasps the promise G.o.d has given; Securely fixed on Christ alone, A trust that cannot be o"erthrown.
2 Faith finds in Christ whate"er we need To save and strengthen, guide and feed; Strong in his grace, it joys to share His cross, in hope his crown to wear.
3 Faith to the conscience whispers peace, And bids the mourner"s sighing cease; By faith the children"s right we claim, And call upon our Father"s name.
4 Such faith in us, O G.o.d, implant, And to our prayers thy favor grant; In Jesus Christ, thy saving Son, Who is our fount of health alone.
Anon., 1531.
358 Elliott. 8s & 4s.
_Submission to Divine Will._
My G.o.d, my Father, while I stray Far from my home, in life"s rough way, Oh, teach me from my heart to say, "Thy will be done!"
2 If thou should"st call me to resign What most I prize--it ne"er was mine-- I only yield thee what was thine-- "Thy will be done!"
3 If but my fainting heart be blest With thy sweet Spirit for its guest, My G.o.d! to thee I leave the rest-- "Thy will be done!"
4 Renew my will from day to day; Blend it with thine, and take away All that now makes it hard to say, "Thy will be done!"
5 Then, when on earth I breathe no more The pray"r, oft mixed with tears before, I"ll sing upon a happier sh.o.r.e, "Thy will be done!"
Charlotte Elliott, 1834.
359 Lisbon. S.M.
_The Cross and Crown._ (858)
Oh! what, if we are Christ"s, Is earthly shame or loss?
Bright shall the crown of glory be When we have borne the cross.
2 Keen was the trial once, Bitter the cup of woe, When martyred saints, baptized in blood, Christ"s sufferings shared below.
3 Bright is their glory now, Boundless their joy above, Where, on the bosom of their G.o.d, They rest in perfect love.
4 Lord! may that grace be ours, Like them, in faith, to bear All that of sorrow, grief, or pain May be our portion here.
Henry W. Baker, 1852.
360 Lisbon. S.M.
_G.o.d Our Shepherd.--Ps. 23._ (859)
The Lord my Shepherd is; I shall be well supplied: Since he is mine, and I am his, What can I want beside?
2 He leads me to the place Where heavenly pasture grows, Where living waters gently pa.s.s, And full salvation flows.
3 If e"er I go astray, He doth my soul reclaim, And guides me, in his own right way, For his most holy name.
4 While he affords his aid, I cannot yield to fear; Tho" I should walk thro" death"s dark shade, My Shepherd"s with me there.
Isaac Watts, 1719.
361 Lisbon. S.M.
_Psalm 37:3-7._ (745)
Here I can firmly rest; I dare to boast of this, That G.o.d, the highest and the best, My Friend and Father is.
2 Naught have I of my own, Naught in the life I lead; What Christ hath given, that alone I dare in faith to plead.
3 I rest upon the ground Of Jesus and his blood; It is through him that I have found My soul"s eternal good.
4 At cost of all I have, At cost of life and limb, I cling to G.o.d who yet shall save; I will not turn from him.
5 His Spirit in me dwells, O"er all my mind he reigns; My care and sadness he dispels, And soothes away my pains.
6 He prospers day by day His work within my heart, Till I have strength and faith to say, Thou, G.o.d, my Father art!
Paul Gerhardt, 1650.