3 I laid me down and slept—I woke— Thou, Lord! my spirit didst sustain; Bright from the east the morning broke— Thy comforts rose on me again.
4 I will not fear, though arméd throngs ’Compass my steps in all their wrath; Salvation to the Lord belongs: His presence guards his people’s path.
852 L. M. The Lord is nigh to all that call on him. Psalm 145:18.
When, in the hour of lonely woe, I give my sorrows leave to flow, And anxious fear and dark distrust Weigh down my spirit to the dust;
2 When not e’en friendship’s gentle aid Can heal the wounds the world has made, O this shall check each rising sigh— My Saviour is for ever nigh.
3 His counsels and upholding care My safety and my comfort are: And he shall guide me all my days, Till glory crown the work of grace.
853 L. M. I have considered the days of old. Psalm 77:5.
Lord! I have foes without, within, The world, the flesh, indwelling sin, Life’s daily ills, temptation’s power, The tempted spirit’s weaker hour.
2 Yet, in the gloom of silent thought, I call to mind what God hath wrought— Thy wonders in the days of old, Thy mercies great and manifold.
3 O, then to thee I stretch my hands, Like failing streams through desert sands; I thirst for thee, as harvest plains, Parched by the summer, thirst for rains!
4 Teach me thy will, subdue my own; Thou art my God, and thou alone; Release my soul from trouble, Lord! Quicken and keep me by thy word.
854 L. M. Why art thou cast down. Psalm 42:5.
When darkness long has vailed my mind, And smiling day once more appears; Then, my Creator! then I find The folly of my doubts and fears.
2 Straight I upbraid my wandering heart, And blush that I should ever be Thus prone to act so base a part, Or harbor one hard thought of thee.
3 O, let me then at length be taught What I am still so slow to learn— That God is love, and changes not, Nor knows the shadow of a turn.
4 Sweet truth, and easy to repeat! But, when my faith is sharply tried, I find myself a learner yet, Unskillful, weak, and apt to slide.
5 But, O my God! one look from thee Subdues the disobedient will, Drives doubt and discontent away; And thy rebellious child is still.
855 L. M. We walk by faith. 2 Cor. 5:7.
By faith in Christ I walk with God, With heaven, my journey’s end, in view; Supported by his staff and rod, My road is safe and pleasant too.
2 I travel through a desert wide, Where many round me blindly stray; But he vouchsafes to be my Guide, And keeps me in the narrow way.
3 The wilderness affords no food, But God for my support prepares, Provides me every needful good, And frees my soul from wants and cares.
4 With him sweet converse I maintain; Great as he is, I dare be free; I tell him all my grief and pain, And he reveals his love to me.
5 I pity all that worldlings talk Of pleasures that will quickly end; Be this my choice, O Lord! to walk With thee, my Guide, my Guard, my Friend.
856 L. M. I press toward the mark. Phil. 3:14.
Awake, our souls; away, our fears; Let every trembling thought be gone; Awake, and run the heavenly race, And put a cheerful courage on.
2 True, ’tis a straight and thorny road, And mortal spirits tire and faint; But they forget the mighty God, Who feeds the strength of every saint;
3 The mighty God, whose matchless power Is ever new and ever young, And firm endures, while endless years Their everlasting circles run.
4 From thee, the overflowing spring, Our souls shall drink a full supply; While those who trust their native strength, Shall melt away, and droop, and die.
5 Swift as an eagle cuts the air, We’ll mount aloft to thine abode; On wings of love our souls shall fly, Nor tire amid the heavenly road.
857 L. M. Lord, save us; we perish. Matt. 8:25.
The billows swell, the winds are high; Clouds overcast my wintry sky; Out of the depths to thee I call; My fears are great, my strength is small.
2 O Lord, the pilot’s part perform, And guide and guard me through the storm; Defend me from each threatening ill: Control the waves; say, “Peace! be still.”
3 Amid the roaring of the sea, My soul still hangs her hope on thee; Thy constant love, thy faithful care, Is all that saves me from despair.
4 Though tempest-tossed and half a wreck, My Saviour through the floods I seek: Let neither winds nor stormy main Force back my shattered bark again.
858 L. M. Where is the blessedness ye spake of. Gal. 4:15.
O where is now that glowing love That marked our union with the Lord? Our hearts were fixed on things above. Nor could the world a joy afford.