"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."
1 NEARER, my God, to thee,Nearer to thee!
E'en though it be a cross
That raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be,
"Nearer, my God, to thee,
Nearer to thee!"
2 Though, like the wanderer, The sun gone down, Darkness be over me,
My rest a stone;
Yet in my dreams I'd be
Nearer, my God, to thee,—
Nearer to thee!
3 There let the way appear,
Steps unto heaven;
All that thou sendest me,
In mercy given;
1 O LOVE Divine, that stooped to share
Our sharpest pang, our bitterest tear!
On thee we cast each earth-born care;
We smile at pain while thou art near.
2 Though long the weary way we tread,
And sorrow crown each lingering year,
No path we shun, no darkness dread;
Our hearts still whispering, "Thou art near!"
3 When drooping pleasure turns to grief,
And trembling faith is changed to fear,
The murmuring wind, the quivering leaf,
Shall softly tell us, "Thou art near!"
4 On thee we fling our burdening woe,
O Love Divine! for ever dear;
Content to suffer, while we know,
Living and dying, thou art near.
1 FATHER, I know that all my life
Is portioned out for me:
The changes that will surely come
I do not fear to see:
I ask thee for a present mind,
Intent on pleasing thee.
2 I ask thee for a thoughtful love,
Through constant watching wise,
To meet the glad with joyful smiles,
And wipe the weeping eyes;
A heart at leisure from itself,
To soothe and sympathize.
3 I ask thee for the daily strength,
To none that ask denied;
A mind to blend with outward life,
While keeping at thy side;
Content to fill a little space,
If thou be glorified.
4 And if some things I do not ask
Among my blessings be,
I'd have my spirit filled the more
With grateful love to thee;
More careful, not to serve thee much,
But please thee perfectly.
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