Longings for Perseverance in Grace
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665
1 KEEP us, Lord, oh keep us ever, Vain our hope if left by Thee; We are Thine, oh leave us never, Till Thy face in heaven we see; There to praise Thee Through a bright eternity.
2 All our strength at once would fall us, If deserted, Lord, by Thee; Nothing then could aught avail us, Certain our defeat would be: Those who hate us Thenceforth their desire would see.
3 But we look to Thee as able, Grace to give in time of need: Heaven we know is not more stable, Than the promise which we plead: 'Tis Thy promise Gives Thy people hope indeed. Thomas Kelly, 1815
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666
1 WHEN any turn from Zion's way, (Alas, what numbers do!) Methinks I hear my Saviour say, "Wilt thou forsake Me too?"
2 Ah, Lord, with such a heart as mine, Unless Thou hold me fast, I feel I must, I shall decline, And prove like them at last.
3 Yet Thou alone hast power I know To save a wretch like me: To whom or whither could I go, If I should turn from Thee?
4 Beyond a doubt, I rest assured Thou art the Christ of God; Who hast eternal life secured By promise and by blood.
5 The help of men and angels join'd Could never reach my case; Nor can I hope relief to find But in Thy boundless grace. No voice but Thine can give me rest, And bid my fears depart: No love hut Thine can make me blest, And satisfy my heart.
7 What anguish has that question stirr'd, If I will also go; Yet, Lord, relying on Thy word, I numbly answer, No. John Newton, 1779. |
667
1 LEAVE Thee! no, my dearest Saviour, Thee whose blood my pardon bought; Slight Thy mercy, scorn Thy favour! Perish such an impious thought: Leave Thee—never! Where for peace could I resort?
2 Be offended at Thee—never! Thee to whom my all I owe; Rather shall my heart endeavour With unceasing love to glow: Leave Thee—never! Where for safety could I go?
3 Thou alone art my salvation; There is none can save but Thee: Thou through Thy divine oblation, From my guilt hast set me free: Leave Thee—never! Thou who deign'dst to die for me.
4 But, O Lord, Thou know'st my weakness, Know'st how prone I am to stray; God of love, of truth, of meekness, Guide and keep me in Thy way; Blest Redeemer! Let me never from Thee stray! J. Stamp's Spiritual Song Book, 1845 |
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668
1 LORD, through the desert drear and wide Our erring footsteps need a guide; Keep us, oh keep us near Thy side. Let us not fall. Let us not fall.
2 We have no fear that Thou shouldst lose One whom eternal love could choose; But we would ne'er this grace abuse. Let us not fall. Let us not fall.
3 Lord, we are blind, and halt, and lame, We have no strong-hold but Thy name: Great is our fear to bring it shame. Let us not fall. Let us not fall.
4 Lord, evermore Thy face we seek: Tempted we are, and poor, and weak; Keep us with lowly hearts, and meek. Let us not fall. Let us not fall.
5 All Thy good work in us complete, And seat us daily at Thy feet; Thy love, Thy words, Thy name, how sweet! Let us not fall. Let us not fall. Mary Botoly, 1847. |
669
1 THOU only Sovereign of my heart, My refuge, my almighty Friend, And can my soul from Thee depart, On whom alone my hopes depend?
2 Whither, ah, whither shall I go, A wretched wanderer from my Lord? Gould this dark world of sin and woe, One glimpse of happiness afford?
3 Eternal life Thy words impart; On these my fainting spirit lives; Here sweeter comforts cheer my heart, Than all the round of nature gives.
4 Let earth's alluring joys combine, While Thou art near, in vain they call; One smile, one blissful smile of Thine, My gracious Lord, outweighs them all.
5 Low at Thy feet my soul would lie, Here safety dwells, and peace divine; Still let me live beneath Thine eye, For life, eternal life is Thine. Anne Steele, 1760 |
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