Was I not girded for the battle-field?
Bore I not helm of pride and glittering sword?
Behold the fragments of my broken shield,
And lend to me Thy heavenly armor, Lord!
'I WILL GO UNTO MY FATHER.'
without one plea
But that Thy love is seeking me,
And that Thou bid'st me come to Thee, O loving God! I come.
Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee whose love can cleanse each spot, O loving God! I come.
Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings within, and fears without,—
O loving God! I come.
Just as I am;- Thou wilt receive
Wilt welcome, pardon, heal, relieve,
Because Thy promise I believe,-
O loving God! I come.
'O GOD, THOU LOVER OF SOULS.'
O THOU Lover of my soul!
Let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll,
While the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Father! hide,
Till the storms of life be past:
Safe into the haven guide,
O, receive my soul at last!
Other refuge have I none,
Helpless hangs my soul on Thee,
Leave, O, leave me not alone,
Still support and comfort me.
All my trust on Thee is stayed,
All my help from Thee I bring,
Cover my defenceless head
With the shadow of Thy wing.
Thou, O God! art all I want;
More than all in Thee I find;
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint,
Heal the sick, and lead the blind;
Thou of life the Fountain art,
Freely let me take of Thee;
Spring Thou up within my heart,
Rise to all eternity!
To the haven of Thy breast,
O God of love! I fly;
Be my refuge and my rest,
For O, the storm is high!
Save me from the furious blast,
Covert from the tempest be;
Hide me, Father, till o'erpast
The storm of sin I see.
Welcome as the water-spring
To dry and barren place,
O, descend on me, and bring
Thy sweet, refreshing grace!
O'er a parched and weary land
As a rock extends its shade,
Hide me, Father, with Thy hand,
And screen my naked head.
In the time of my distress
Thou hast my succor been,
In mine hour of helplessness
Restraining me from sin.
O, how swiftly didst Thou move,
Sav'dst me in the trying hour!
Still protect me with Thy love,
And shield me with Thy power
O, FROM these visions dark and drear, Kind Father, set me free!
I struggle yet with darkness here,My God, remember me !
Refresh my drooping soul with grace
And quickening energy;
Still running, toiling in the race, -
My God, remember me!
Some cheering ray of hope impart,
Sweet influence from Thee;
And raise this feeble, drooping heart, -
My God, remember me !
For the inheritance in light,
On trembling wings I flee;
With sins, and doubts, and fears, I fight,
My God, remember me!
HASTEN, Lord, to my release;
Haste to help me, O
my God!
Foes like armed bands increase;
Turn them back the way they trod.
Dark temptations round me press,
Evil thoughts my soul assail;
Doubts and fears, in my distress,
Rise, till flesh and spirit fail.
Thou mine only helper art,
My redeemer from the grave;
Strength of my desiring heart,
Father! Helper! haste to save!
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.
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.
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!
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.
SEARCH ME, O GOD, AND KNOW MY HEART.
O THOU, to whose all-searching sight
The darkness shineth as the light,
Search, prove my heart; it pants for Thee;
O, burst these bonds, and set it free!
If in the darksome wild I stray,
Be Thou my light, be Thou my way;
No foes, no violence, I fear,
No fraud, while Thou, my God, art near.
When rising floods my soul o'erflow,
When sinks heart in waves of woe,
O God! Thy timely aid impart
And raise my head and cheer my heart.
|