4 Though tempest-tossed and half a wreck,
My Savior through the floods I seek;
Let neither winds nor stormy main
Force back my shattered bark again.
Choice of the better Part.
1 BESET with snares on every hand, In life's uncertain path I stand; Savior divine, diffuse thy light,
To guide my doubtful footsteps right.
2 Engage this roving, treacherous heart
To fix on Mary's better part,
To scorn the trifles of a day,
For joys that none can take away.
3 Then, let the wildest storms arise,
Let tempests mingle earth and skies,
No fatal shipwreck shall I fear,
But all my treasures with me bear.
4 If thou, my Savior, still be nigh,
Cheerful I live, and joyful die;
Secure, when mortal comforts flee,
To find ten thousand worlds in thee.
Prayer for quickening Grace. Ps. 119.
1 MY soul lies cleaving to the dust;
Lord, give me life divine;
From vain desires and every lust
Turn off these eyes of mine.
2 I need the influence of thy grace,
To speed me in my way,
Lest I should loiter in my race,
Or turn my feet astray.
3 When sore afflictions press me down,
I need thy quickening powers;
Thy word, that I have rested on,
Shall help my heaviest hours.
4 Then shall I love thy gospel more,
And ne'er forget thy word,
When I have felt its quickening power
To draw me near the Lord.
1 PRAYER is the soul's sincere desire, Uttered or unexpressed,
The motion of a hidden fire,
That trembles in the breast.
2 Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try;
Prayer, the sublimest strains that reach
The Majesty on high.
3 The saints in prayer appear as one
In word, and deed, and mind;
While with the Father and the Son
Sweet fellowship they find.
4 0 thou by whom we come to God,
The Life, the Truth, the Way,
The path of prayer thyself hast trod;
Lord, teach us how to pray.
Prayer and Hope. Ps. 27.
1 SOON as I heard my Father say,
"Ye children, seek my grace,'
My heart replied without delay,
"I'll seek my Father's face."
2 Let not thy face be hid from me,
Nor frown my soul away;
God of my life, I fly to thee,
In a distressing day.
3 Should friends and kindred, near and dear, Leave me to want or die,
My God would make my life his care,
And all my need supply.
4 My fainting flesh had died with grief,
Had not my soul believed
To see thy grace provide relief;
Nor was my hope deceived.
5 Wait on the Lord, ye trembling saints,
And keep your courage up;
He'll raise your spirit when it faints,
And far exceed your hope.
1 WHAT various hindrances we meet,
In coming to a mercy-seat!
Yet who, that knows the worth of prayer, But wishes to be often there?
2 Prayer makes the darkened cloud withdraw,
Prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw,
Gives exercise to faith and love,
Brings every blessing from above.
3 Have you no words? Ah! think again;
Words flow apace when you complain,
And fill your fellow-creature's ear
With the sad tale of all your care.
4 Were half the breath thus vainly spent
To Heaven in supplication sent,
Your cheerful song would oftener be,
"Hear what the Lord has done for me."
1 FATHER in heaven, thy sacred name
In hallowed strains be sung;
Thy kingdom spread o'er all the earth,
Thy praise fill every tongue.
2 By happy spirits round thy throne,
As thy commands are done,
So be thy perfect will obeyed
By all beneath the sun.
3 Our numerous wants are known to thee,
Who canst alone supply ;
O, grant each day our daily bread,
Nor other good deny.
4 Forgive our sins, as we forgive
The wrongs that others do;
Nor let temptations press around,
Lest we those sins renew.
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