GIVE light, O Lord, that we may learn
The way that leads to Thee,
That where our hearts true joys discern,
Our life may be.
Give light, O Lord, that we may know
Thy one unchanging truth,
And follow, all our days below,
Our Guide in youth.
Give light, O Lord, that we may see
Where wisdom bids beware,
And turn our doubting minds to Thee
In faithful prayer.
Give light, O Lord, that we may look
Beneath, around, above,
And learn from nature's living book
Thy power and love.
Give light, O Lord, that we may read
All signs that Thou art near,
And, while we live, in word and deed
Thy name revere.
Give light, O Lord, that we may trace
In trial, pain, and loss,
In poorest lot and lowest place,
A Saviour's cross.
Give light, O Lord, that we may see
A home beyond the sky,
Where all who live in Christ with Thee
ALMIGHTY God, whose only Son
O'er sin and death the triumph won,
And ever lives to intercede
For souls who Thy sweet mercy need;
In His dear name to Thee we pray
For all who err and go astray,
For sinners, wheresoe'er they be,
Who do not serve and honour Thee.
There are who never yet have heard
The tidings of Thy blessèd word,
But still in heathen darkness dwell,
Without one thought of heaven or hell;
And some within Thy sacred fold
To holy things are dead and cold,
And waste the precious hours of life
In selfish ease, or toil, or strife;
And many a quickened soul within
There lurks the secret love of sin,
A wayward will, or anxious fears,
Or lingering taint of bygone years.
O give repentance true and deep
To all Thy lost and wandering sheep,
And kindle in their hearts the fire
Of holy love and pure desire.
That so from angel-hosts above
May rise a sweeter song of love,
And we, with all the blest, adore
Thy name, O God, for evermore.
BEHOLD, the morning sun
Begins his glorious way;
His beams through all the nations run,
And life and light convey.
But where the gospel comes,
It spreads diviner light;
It calls dead sinners from their tombs,
And gives the blind their sight.
How perfect is Thy word,
And all Thy judgments just! For ever sure Thy promise, Lord, And men securely trust.
While with my heart and tongue I spread Thy praise abroad, Accept the worship and the song, My Saviour and my God.
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.
When in the sultry glebe I faint,
Or on the thirsty mountain pant,
To fertile vales and dewy meads
My weary wandering steps He leads,
Where peaceful rivers, soft and slow,
Amid the verdant landscape flow.
Though in a bare and rugged way
Through devious, lonely wilds I stray,
His bounty shall my pains beguile;
The barren wilderness shall smile
With sudden green and herbage crowned,
And streams shall murmur all around.
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 crook shall give me aid,
And guide me through the dreadful shade.
THE King of love my Shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am His
And He is mine for ever.
Where streams of living water flow,
My ransomed soul He leadeth;
And where the verdant pastures grow,
With food celestial feedeth.
Perverse and foolish oft I strayed;
But yet in love He sought me,
And on His shoulder gently laid,
And home, rejoicing, brought me.
In death's dark vale I fear no ill
With Thee, dear Lord, beside me,
Thy rod and staff my comfort still,
Thy cross before to guide me.
Thou spread'st a table in my sight,
Thy unction grace bestoweth,
And O what transport of delight
From Thy pure chalice floweth !
And so through all the length of days
Thy goodness faileth never;
Good Shepherd, may I sing Thy praise
Within Thy house for ever.
SIR HENRY W. BAKER, 1868.
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