THY way, not mine, O Lord,
However dark it be!
Lead me by Thine own hand,
Choose out the path for me.
2 Smooth let it be or rough,
It will be still the best;
Winding or straight, it leads
Right onward to Thy rest.
3 I dare not choose my lot;
I would not, if I might;
Choose Thou for me, my God;
So shall I walk aright.
4 The kingdom that I seek
Is Thine; so let the way
That leads to it be Thine;
Else I must surely stray.
5 Take Thou my cup, and it
With joy or sorrow fill,
As best to Thee may seem;
Choose Thou my good and ill;
6 Choose Thou for me my friends,
My sickness or my health;
Choose Thou my cares for me,
My poverty or wealth.
7 Not mine, not mine the choice,
In things or great or small;
Be Thou my guide, my strength,
My wisdom, and my all!
Horatius Bonar, 1856.