Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 22

4 So taught his only Son, Blessed messenger of grace!

The Eternal is but one, No second holds his place.

138. C. M. Thomson.

All-embracing Providence of G.o.d.

1 Jehovah G.o.d! thy gracious power On every hand we see; O may the blessings of each hour Lead all our thoughts to thee.

2 If, on the wings of morn, we speed To earth's remotest bound, Thy hand will there our footsteps lead, Thy love, our path surround.

3 Thy power is in the ocean deeps, And reaches to the skies; Thine eye of mercy never sleeps, Thy goodness never dies.

4 In all the varying scenes of time, On thee our hopes depend; Through every age, in every clime, Our Father, and our Friend!

139. C. M. Beddome.

The Mysteries of Providence.

1 Almighty G.o.d! thy wondrous works Of providence and grace, An angel's perfect mind exceed, And all our pride abase.

2 Stupendous heights! amazing depths!

Creatures in vain explore: Or, if a transient glimpse we gain, 'Tis faint and quickly o'er.

3 Though all the mysteries lie concealed Beyond what we can see, Grant us the knowledge of ourselves, The knowledge, Lord, of thee.

140. L. M. Tate & Brady.

"Whither shall I go from thy presence?"

1 Thou, Lord, by strictest search hast known My rising up and lying down; My secret thoughts are known to thee, Known long before conceived by me.

2 O could I so perfidious be, To think of once deserting thee!

Where, Lord, could I thy influence shun?

Or whither from thy presence run?

3 If I the morning's wings could gain, And fly beyond the western main, Thy swifter hand would first arrive, And there arrest thy fugitive.

4 Or should I try to shun thy sight Beneath the sable wings of night, One glance from thee, one piercing ray, Would kindle darkness into day.

5 Search, try, O G.o.d, my thoughts and heart, If mischief lurks in any part; Correct me where I go astray, And guide me in thy perfect way.

141. L. M. 6l. W. Ray.

Perfection of G.o.d.

1 Thou art, almighty Lord of all, From everlasting still the same; Before thee dazzling seraphs fall, And veil their faces in a flame, To see such bright perfections glow-- Such floods of glory from thee flow.

2 What mortal hand shall dare to paint A semblance of thy glory, Lord?

The brightest rainbow-tints are faint; The brightest stars of heaven afford But dim effusions of those rays Of light that round Jehovah blaze.

3 The sun himself is but a gleam, A transient meteor, from thy throne; And every frail and fickle beam, That ever in creation shone, Is nothing, Lord, compared to thee In thy own vast immensity.

4 But though thy brightness may create All wors.h.i.+p from the hosts above, What most thy name must elevate Is, that thou art a G.o.d of love; And mercy is the central sun Of all thy glories joined in one.

142. L. M. Watts.

"Canst thou find out the Almighty?"

1 Can creatures to perfection find Th' eternal, uncreated Mind?

Or can the largest stretch of thought Measure and search his nature out?

2 G.o.d is a King of power unknown; Firm are the orders of his throne; If he resolve, who dare oppose, Or ask him why or what he does?

3 He frowns, and darkness veils the moon The fainting sun grows dim at noon: The pillars of heaven's starry roof Tremble and start at his reproof.

4 These are a portion of his ways: But who shall dare describe his face?

Who can endure his light, or stand To hear the thunders of his hand?

143. C. H. M. Anonymous.

The surpa.s.sing Glory of G.o.d.

1 Since o'er thy footstool here below Such radiant gems are strown, O what magnificence must glow, Great G.o.d, about thy throne!

So brilliant here these drops of light-- There the full ocean rolls--how bright!