Hymnal: A Selection of Christian Hymns
Date: 1818
Compiler: Rice Haggard
Publisher/Printer: John Norvell
First Line: O Thou before whose gracious throne
Topic: On the Dangerous Illness of a minister
Writer: <no first name given> <no last name given>
Composer:
Meter: LM
Tune:
Hymn Number: 183
Page Number: 178, click to see hymnal pages
LyicsO thou, before whose gracious throne
We bow our suppliant spirits down,
View the sad breast, the streaming eye,
And let our sorrows pierce the sky.
Tho' we have sinned, and justly dread
The vengeance hovering o'er our head,
Yet, power benign, thy servant spare,
Nor turn away thy people's prayer.
Restore him, sinking to the grave.
Stretch out thine arm, make haste to save;
Back to our hopes and whishes give,
And bid our friend and brother live,
Bound to each soul by strongest ties,
In every breast his image lies.
Thy pitying aid, O God, impart,
Nor rend him from each bleeding heart.
But if he must no longer stay,
Support him thro' the gloomy way;
Comfort his soul, surround his bed,
And guide him thro' the dreary shade.
Around him may thy angels wait,
Decked with their robes of heavenly state,
To teach his happy soul to rise,
And waft him to this native skies.