537

O GOD of Bethel, by whose hand
Thy people still are fed;

Who thro' this weary pilgrimage
Hast all our fathers led.

C. M.

2 Our vows, our prayers, we now present
Before Thy throne of grace :
God of our fathers, be the God
Of their succeeding race.

3 Through each perplexing path of life
Our wandering footsteps guide;
Give us each day our daily bread,
And raiment fit provide.

4 Oh, spread Thy sheltering wings around, Till all our wanderings cease,

And at our Father's loved abode
Our souls arrive in peace!

5 Such blessings from Thy gracious hand
Our humble prayers implore;

And Thou shalt be our chosen God,
And portion evermore.

538

My times are in Thy hand;

P. Doddridge.

S. M.

My God, I wish them there;

My life, my friends, my soul I leave
Entirely to Thy care.

2 My times are in Thy hand,
Whatever they may be ;

Pleasing or painful, dark or bright,
As best may seem to Thee.

3 My times are in Thy hand;
Why should I doubt or fear?
My Father's hand will never cause
His child a needless tear.

4 My times are in Thy hand,
Jesus, the crucified!

Those hands my cruel sins had pierced
Are now my guard and guide;

5 My times are in Thy hand,

I'll always trust in Thee;

And, after death, at Thy right hand
I shall for ever be.

539

W. F. Lloyd.

C. M.

THERE is a safe and secret place
Beneath the wings divine,

Reserved for all the heirs of grace;

Oh, be that refuge mine!

2 The least and feeblest there may bide, Uninjured and unawed;

While thousands fall on every side,
He rests secure in God.

3 The angels watch him on his way,
And aid with friendly arm;
And Satan, roaring for his prey,
May hate, but cannot harm.

4 He feeds in pastures large and fair
Of love and truth divine;
O child of God, O glory's heir,
How rich a lot is thine !

5 A hand almighty to defend,
An ear for every call,

An honored life, a peaceful end,
And heaven to crown it all!

H. F. Lyte.

540

I WORSHIP Thee, sweet Will of God,

And all Thy ways adore;
And every day I live, I seem

To love Thee more and more.

2 When obstacles and trials seem
Like prison-walls to be,
I do the little I can do,

And leave the rest to Thee.

3 I have no cares, O blessed Will,
For all my cares are Thine;
I live in triumph, Lord, for Thou
Hast made Thy triumphs mine.

C. M.

4 He always wins who sides with God,
To him no chance is lost;
God's will is sweetest to him when
It triumphs at his cost.

5 Ill that He blesses is our good,

And unblest good is ill;

And all is right that seems most wrong,
If it be His sweet will.

541

F. W. Faber.

C. M.

THE Lord's my Shepherd, I'll not want;
He makes me down to lie

In pastures green; He leadeth me
The quiet waters by.

2 My soul He doth restore again;
And me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness,
E'en for His own name's sake.

3 Yea, though I walk in death's dark vale,
Yet will I fear none ill;
For Thou art with me; and Thy rod
And staff me comfort still.

4 My table Thou hast furnishèd
In presence of my foes:

My head Thou dost with oil anoint,
And my cup overflows.

5 Goodness and mercy all my life
Shall surely follow me;

And in God's house for evermore
My dwelling-place shall be.

542

F. Rous.

THOU, O my Jesus, Thou didst me
Upon the cross embrace :

C. M.

For me didst bear the nails, and spear,
And manifold disgrace;

2 And griefs and torments numberless,
And sweat of agony;

E'en death itself; and all for one
Who was Thine enemy.

3 Then why, O blessèd Jesus Christ,
Should I not love Thee well?

Not for the hope of winning heaven,
Or of escaping hell.

4 Not with the hope of gaining aught,
Not seeking a reward;

But as Thyself hast lovèd me,
O ever-loving Lord.

5 E'en so I love Thee, and will love,
And in Thy praise will sing;
Solely because Thou art my God,
And my eternal_King.

F. Xavier. Tr. E. Caswall.

543

S. M.

THE Lord my shepherd is;

I shall be well supplied :

Since he is mine and I am His,
What can I want beside ?

2 He leads me to the place

Where heavenly pasture grows; Where living waters gently pass, And full salvation flows.

3 If e'er I go astray,

He doth my soul reclaim;

And guides me, in His own right way,
For His most holy name.

4 While He affords His aid,

I cannot yield to fear;

Tho' I should walk thro' death's dark shade My Shepherd's with me there.

5 In spite of all my foes,

Thou dost my table spread; My cup with blessings overflows, And joy exalts my head.

6 The bounties of Thy love

Shall crown my following days; Nor from Thy house will I remove, Nor cease to speak Thy praise.

544

My spirit, on Thy care,

Blest Saviour, I recline;

I. Watts.

Thou wilt not leave me to despair,

For Thou art love divine.

S. M.