Mysteries of Providence.
1 GOD moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform:
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.
2 Deep in unfathomable mines,
Of never-failing skill,
He treasures up his bright designs,
And works his sovereign will.
3 Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take:
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and will break
In blessings on your head.
4 Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust him for his grace:
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
5 His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour:
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.
6 Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan his work in vain :
God is his own interpreter,
And he will make it plain.
Deliverances acknowledged.
1 GOD of my life, whose gracious power Through varied deaths my soul hath led, Or turned aside the fatal hour,
Or lifted up my sinking head,
2 In all my ways thy hand I own,
Thy ruling providence I see:
Assist me still my course to run,
And still direct my paths to thee.
3 Whither, O, whither should I fly,
But to my loving Father's breast?
Secure within thine arms to lie,
And safe beneath thy wings to rest.
4 I have no skill the snare to shun;
But thou, O God, my wisdom art:
I ever into ruin run;
But thou art greater than my heart.
5 Foolish, and impotent, and blind,
Lead me a way I have not known;
Bring me where I my heaven may find,
The heaven of loving thee alone.
God's Care a Remedy for ours.
1 How gentle God's commands !
How kind his precepts are!
"Come, cast your burdens on the Lord,
And trust his constant care."
2 While Providence supports,
Let saints securely dwell;
That hand which bears all nature up
Shall guide his children well.
3 Why should this anxious load
Press down your weary mind?
Haste to your heavenly Father's throne,
And sweet refreshment find.
4 His goodness stands approved
Down to the present day:
I'll drop my burden at his feet,
And bear a song away.
Universal Care of Providence acknowledged.
1 GREATEST of beings, Source of life,
Sovereign of air, of earth, and sea,
All nature feels thy power, but man
A grateful tribute pays to thee.
2 Subject to wants, to thee he looks,
And from thy goodness seeks supplies;
And, when oppressed with guilt he mourns,
Thy mercy lifts him to the skies.
3 And whether grief oppress the heart;
Or whether joy elate the breast;
Or life still keep its little course;
Or death invite the heart to rest;
4 All are thy messengers, and all
Thy sacred pleasure, Lord, obey;
And all are training man to dwell
Nearer to bliss, and nearer thee.
37. C. P. M. EXETER COL.
Providential Goodness of God.
1 GREAT Source of unexhausted good,
Who giv'st us health, and friends, and food,
And peace, and calm content,
Like fragrant incense, to the skies
Let songs of grateful praises rise,
For all thy blessings lent.
2 Through all the dangers of the day,
Thy providence attends our way,
To guard us and to guide;
Thy grace directs our wandering will,
And warns us, lest seducing ill
Allure our souls aside.
3 Thy smiles, with a reviving light,
Cheer the long, darksome hours of night,
And gild the thickest gloom;
Thy watchful love, around our bed,
Doth softly, like a curtain, spread,
And guard the peaceful room.
4 To thee our lives, our all we owe,
Our peace and sweetest joys below,
And brightest hopes above;
Then let our lives, and all that's ours,
Our souls, and all our active powers,
Be sacred to thy love.
God wise and merciful in Chastisement.
1 How gracious and how wise
Is our chastising God!
And, O, how rich the blessings are
That blossom from his rod !
2 He lifts it up on high
With pity in his heart,
That every stroke his children feel
May grace and peace impart.
3 Instructed thus, they bow,
And own his sovereign sway;
They turn their erring footsteps back
To his forsaken way.
4 His covenant love they seek,
And seek the happy bands
That closer still engage their hearts
To honor his commands.
5 Our Father, we consent
To discipline divine,
And bless the pains that make our souls Still more completely thine.
1 SOVEREIGN Ruler of the skies,
Ever gracious, ever wise,
All my times are in thy hand,
All events at thy command.
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