Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 82

1 The Lord my pasture shall prepare, And feed me with a shepherd's care; His presence shall my wants supply, And guard me with a watchful eye; My noonday walks he shall attend, And all my midnight hours defend.

2 When in the sultry glebe I faint, Or on the thirsty mountains pant, To fertile vales and dewy meads My weary, wandering steps he leads, Where peaceful rivers, soft and slow, Amid the verdant landscape flow.

3 Though in the paths of death I tread, With gloomy horrors overspread, My steadfast heart shall fear no ill, For thou, O Lord, art with me still.

Thy friendly staff shall give me aid, And guide me through the dreadful shade.

4 Though, in a bare and rugged way, Through devious, lonely wilds I stray, Thy bounty shall my pains beguile,-- The barren wilderness shall smile, With sudden greens and herbage crowned And streams shall murmur all around.

496. S. M. Patrick

The Fatherly Love of G.o.d.

1 G.o.d, who is just and kind, Will those who err instruct, And to the paths of righteousness Their wandering steps conduct.

2 The humble soul he guides, Teaches the meek his way, Kindness and truth he shows to all Who his just laws obey.

3 Give me the tender heart That mixes fear with love, And lead me through whatever path Thy wisdom shall approve.

4 Oh! ever keep my soul From error, shame and guilt; Nor suffer the fair hope to fail, Which on thy truth is built.

497. L. M. J. F. Oberlin.

Clinging to G.o.d.

1 O Lord, thy heavenly grace impart, And fix my frail, inconstant heart: Henceforth my chief desire shall be To dedicate myself to thee.

2 Whate'er pursuits my time employ, One thought shall fill my soul with joy: That silent, secret thought shall be, That all my hopes are fixed on thee.

3 Thy glorious eye pervadeth s.p.a.ce; Thy presence, Lord, fills every place; And wheresoe'er my lot may be, Still shall my spirit cleave to thee.

4 Renouncing every earthly thing, And safe beneath thy spreading wing, My sweetest thought henceforth shall be, That all I want I find in thee.

498. C. M. Watts.

G.o.d our Refuge and Hope.

1 G.o.d, my supporter and my hope, My help forever near; Thine arm of mercy held me up, When sinking in despair.

2 Thy counsels, Lord, shall guide my feet Through this dark wilderness; Thine hand conduct me near thy seat, To dwell before thy face.

3 What if the springs of life were broke, And flesh and heart should faint?

G.o.d is my soul's eternal rock, The strength of every saint.

4 Behold the sinners, that remove Far from thy presence, die; Not all the idol G.o.ds they love Can save them when they cry.

5 But to draw near to thee, my G.o.d, Shall be my sweet employ; My tongue shall sound thy works abroad, And tell the world my joy.

499. C. M. Montgomery.

For Grateful Submission.

1 One prayer I have,--all prayers in one,-- When I am wholly thine; "Thy will, my G.o.d, thy will be done, And let that will be mine."

2 All-wise, almighty, and all-good, In thee I firmly trust; Thy ways, unknown or understood, Are merciful and just.

3 May I remember that to thee Whate'er I have I owe; And back in grat.i.tude from me May all thy bounties flow.

4 Thy gifts are only then enjoyed, When used as talents lent; Those talents only well employed, When in thy service spent.

5 And though thy wisdom takes away, Shall I arraign thy will?

No, let me bless thy name, and say, "The Lord is gracious still."

500. L. M. Montgomery.

The Soul Returning to G.o.d.

1 Return, my soul, unto thy rest, From vain pursuits and maddening cares, From lonely woes that wring thy breast, The world's allurements, toils and snares.

2 Return unto thy rest, my soul, From all the wanderings of thy thought; From sickness unto death made whole; Safe through a thousand perils brought.

3 Then to thy rest, my soul return, From pa.s.sions every hour at strife; Sin's works, and ways, and wages spurn, Lay hold upon eternal life.

4 G.o.d is thy rest;--with heart inclined To keep his word, that word believe; Christ is thy rest;--with lowly mind, His light and easy yoke receive.