FATHER of mercies! in thy word
What endless glory shines!
Forever be thy name adored
For these celestial lines.
2 Here may the wretched sons of want
Exhaustless riches find-
Riches above what earth can grant,
And lasting as the mind.
3 Here the Redeemer's welcome voice
Spreads heavenly peace around,
And life and everlasting joys
Attend the blissful sound.
4 Oh, may these heavenly pages be
My ever dear delight,
And still new beauties may I
And still increasing light.
5 Divine instructor, gracious Lord,
Be thou forever near;
Teach me to love thy sacred word,
And view my Saviour there.
THE Word of God which ne'er shall cease, Proclaims free pardon, grace and peace, Salvation shows in Christ alone,
The perfect will of God makes known.
2 Since fallen man, weak and impure,
Can not God's awful voice endure,
It pleased the Lord, by men to give
His word to us, that we might live.
3 This holy word exposes sin,
Convinces us that we're unclean,
Points out the wretched, ruined state
Of all mankind, both small and great.
4 It then reveals God's boundless grace,
Which justifies our sinful race,
And gives eternal life to all
Who will accept the gospel call.
5 It gently heals the broken heart,
And heavenly riches doth impart,
Unfolds redemption's wondrous plan,
Through Christ's atoning death for man.
6 It gathers God's elected flock,
Beneath the shade of Christ, the rock,
With living truth each soul supplies,
Reproves, directs and sanctifies.
7 It keeps our faith in Jesus sound,
That we in all good works abound,
And, as joint-heirs with Christ, our Lord,
We once may share the blest reward.
8 O God in whom our trust we place,
We thank thee for thy word of grace;
Help us its precepts to obey,
Till we shall live in endless day.
Thanks and praise be ever thine,
That thy word to us is given,
Teaching us with power divine,
That the Lord of earth and heaven,
Everlasting life for us to gain,
Once was slain.
May thy precious saving word,
Till our race is here completed,
Light unto our path afford;
And when in thy presence seated,
We to thee will render for thy grace
Ceaseless praise.
How precious is the book divine,
By inspiration given!
Bright as a lamp its doctrines shine,
To guide our souls to heaven.
2 Its light, descending from above,
Our gloomy world to cheer,
Displays a Saviour's boundless love,
And brings his glories near.
3 It sweetly cheers our drooping hearts,
In this dark vale of tears;
Life, light and joy, it still imparts,
And quells our rising fears.
4 This lamp, through all the tedious night Of life, shall guide our way,
Till we behold the clearer light
Of an eternal day.
JESUS, thy word is my delight;
There grace and truth are seen;
Ah, could I study day and night,
And meditate therein.
2 The gospel, as a polished glass,
Thy glory lets us see;
And by beholding there thy face
We're rendered like to thee.
3 O Lamb of God, the book unseal,
And to our hearts explain;
Let all its life and spirit feel,
And heavenly wisdom gain.
4 That thou for us didst live and die,
Make known to us, dear Lord;
To us the promises apply,
Recorded in thy word.
LADEN with guilt, and full of fears,
I fly to thee, my Lord!
And not a glimpse of hope appears,
But in thy written word.
2 The volume of my Father's grace
Does all my griefs assuage;
Here I behold my Saviour's face,
Almost in every page.
3 Here consecrated water flows,
To quench my thirst of sin;
Here the fair tree of knowledge grows;
Nor danger dwells therein.
4 This is the field where hidden lies
The pearl of price unknown;
That merchant is divinely wise
Who makes the pearl his own.
5 This is the judge that ends the strife,
Where wit and reason fail;
My guide to everlasting life,
Through all this gloomy vale.
6 Oh, may thy counsels, mighty God,
My roving feet command;
Nor I forsake the happy road,
That leads to thy right hand.
THY law is perfect, Lord of light,
Thy testimonies sure;
The statutes of thy realm are right,
And thy commandments pure.
2 Holy, inviolate thy fear,
Enduring as thy throne;
Thy judgments, chastening or severe,
Justice and truth alone.
3 More prized than gold, than gold whose waste Refining fire expels :
Sweeter than honey to my taste,
Than honey from the cells.
4 Let these, O God, my soul convert,
And make thy servant wise;
Let these be gladness to my heart,
The day-spring to my eyes.
5 By these may I be warned betimes;
Who knows the guile within?
Lord, save me from presumptuous crimes,
Cleanse me from secret sin.
6 So may the words my lips express,
The thoughts that throng my mind,
O Lord, my strength and righteousness,
With thee acceptance find.
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