Friends may falsify my trust, Kindred also prove unjust, Wound my heart and chill its glow,— Warmth and comfort may decline; Yet from mercy's aid shall spring PENINA MOÏSE 118 O MY CREATOR, WHEN THY MIGHT O my Creator, when Thy might, The wisdom of Thy ways, The love, which sheds on all its light, I know not, while amazed I bow, My God, my Lord, my Father, Thou Where'er my raptured eyes are turned, Thy heavens, with radiant gems adorned, O God of strength! who taught the sun Who put his robes of glory on? Who summons every star? Who gives the wind its course or birth? Who opens wide the lap of earth, O God of might and majesty! O God, Thy boundless love, Thy name the sunshine and the storm, 66 Give," cries aloud the meanest worm, "Give my Creator praise! "God made me," cries the stately tree 66 That with the tempest plays; God," cries the little seed, "made me; Man, on whose frame Thy fearful hand Such skill could so bestow; Man, whose high reasoning soul can stand, And ask his God to know; Man, made a king on earth to move, In his own mould can daily prove O, praise Him still, thou soul of mine, O God our Father, praise be Thine! CHRISTIAN F. GELLERT Translation from the German by Rev. George Burgess 119 LIFELONG PRAISE In God, the holy, wise, and just, From every page that time has turned, The prize ambition keenly sought The web of gold, by av'rice wrought, Oh, should my term of life exceed Until the last my prayer would plead For strength to praise my God! PENINA MOÏSE 120 GOD IS LOVE God is love; His mercy brightens Chance and change are busy ever; E'en the hour that darkest seemeth Will His changeless goodness prove; From the gloom His brightness streameth; He with earthly cares entwineth SIR JOHN BOWRING 121 THE UNIVERSAL PRAYER Father of all, in every age, In every clime adored By saint, by savage, or by sage, Jehovah, Jove, or Lord; Thou great First Cause, least understood, To know but this, that Thou art good, If I am right, Thy grace impart Save me alike from foolish pride, At aught Thy wisdom has denied, Teach me to feel another's woe, This day be bread and peace my lot: All else beneath the sun Thou know'st if best bestowed or not; |