62 L. M. Grace and glory.
The Almighty reigns exalted high O’er all the earth, o’er all the sky; Though clouds and darkness vail his feet, His dwelling is the mercy-seat.
2 O ye that love his holy name, Hate every work of sin and shame; He guards the souls of all his friends, And from the snares of hell defends.
3 Immortal light and joys unknown Are for the saints in darkness sown; Those glorious seeds shall spring and rise, And the bright harvest bless our eyes.
4 Rejoice, ye righteous, and record The sacred honors of the Lord; None but the soul that feels his grace Can triumph in his holiness.
63 L. M. God in all.
There’s nothing bright, above, below, From flowers that bloom to stars that glow, But in its light my soul can see Some features of the Deity.
2 There’s nothing dark below, above, But in its gloom I trace thy love, And meekly wait the moment when Thy touch shall make all bright again.
3 The light, the dark, where’er I look, Shall be one pure and shining book, Where I may read, in words of flame, The glories of thy wondrous name.
64 L. M. Be thou exalted, O my God.
My God, in whom are all the springs Of boundless love and grace unknown, Hide me beneath thy spreading wings, Till the dark cloud is overblown.
2 Up to the heavens I send my cry, The Lord will my desires perform; He sends his angels from the sky, And saves me from the threatening storm,
3 My heart is fixed: my song shall raise Immortal honors to thy name; Awake, my tongue, to sound his praise, My tongue, the glory of my frame.
4 High o’er earth his mercy reigns, And reaches to the utmost sky; His truth to endless years remains, When lower worlds dissolve and die.
5 Be thou exalted, O my God! Above the heavens where angels dwell; Thy power on earth be known abroad, And land to land thy wonders tell.
65 L. M. Unchanging trust.
No change of time shall ever shock My firm affection, Lord, to thee; For thou hast always been my rock, A fortress and defense 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 thee I will address my prayer, To whom all praise I justly owe; So shall I by thy watchful care, Be guarded from my treacherous foe.
66 L. M. God ever near.
O love divine, that stooped to share Our sharpest pang, our bitterest tear, On thee is cast each earth-born care, We smile at pain while thou art near!
2 Though long the weary way we tread, And sorrow crown each lingering year, No path we shun, no darkness dread, Our hearts still whispering thou art near!
3 When drooping pleasure turns to grief, And trembling faith is changed to fear, The murmuring wind, the quivering leaf, Shall softly tell us, thou art near!
4 On thee we fling our burdening woe, O love divine, for ever dear, Content to suffer while we know, Living and dying, thou art near!
67 L. M. Contentment. Phil. 4:11.
O Lord, how full of sweet content My years of pilgrimage are spent! Where’er I dwell, I dwell with thee, In heaven, in earth, or on the sea.
2 To me remains nor place nor time; My country is in every clime: I can be calm and free from care On any shore, since God is there.
3 While place I seek, or place I shun, The soul finds happiness in none; But with my God to guide my way, ’Tis equal joy to go or stay.
4 Could I be cast where thou art not, That were indeed a dreadful lot; But regions none remote I call, Secure of finding God in all.
68 L. M. 6 lines. Thy will be done.
He sendeth sun, he sendeth shower; Alike they’re needful for the flower; And joys and tears alike are sent To give the soul fit nourishment: As comes to me or cloud or sun, Father, thy will, not mine, be done!
2 Can loving children e’er reprove With murmurs whom they trust and love? Creator, I would ever be A trusting, loving child to thee: As comes to me or cloud or sun, Father, thy will, not mine, be done!
3 O ne’er will I at life repine! Enough that thou hast made it mine; When fall the shadow cold of death, I yet will sing, with parting breath— As comes to me or shade or sun, Father, thy will, not mine, be done!
69 L. M. The wisdom of God.
Wait, O my soul, thy Maker’s will; Tumultuous passions, all be still! Nor let a murmuring thought arise; His ways are just, his counsels wise.
2 He in the thickest darkness dwells, Performs his work, the cause conceals; But, though his methods are unknown, Judgment and truth support his throne.