Scripture Verse

Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Luke 10:42

Introduction

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Philip Doddridge
1702–1751

Words: Phil­ip Dodd­ridge (1702–1751). Pub­lished post­hu­mous­ly in Hymns Found­ed on Va­ri­ous Texts in the Ho­ly Scrip­tures, by Job Or­ton (Shrop­shire, Eng­land: Jo­shua Ed­dowes & John Cot­ton, 1755), num­ber 207: Ma­ry’s choice of the bet­ter part.

Music: Heb­ron Lo­well Ma­son, 1830 (🔊 pdf nwc).

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Lowell Mason
1792–1872

Lyrics

Beset with snares on every hand,
In life’s uncertain path I stand;
Savior divine, diffuse Thy light,
To guide my doubtful footsteps right.

Engage this roving, treacherous heart
To fix on Mary’s better part,
To scorn the trifles of a day,
For joys that none can take away.

Then let the wildest storms arise;
Let tempests mingle earth and skies;
No fatal shipwreck shall I fear,
But all my treasures with me bear.

If Thou, my Jesus, still be nigh,
Cheerful I live, and joyful die;
Secure, when mortal comforts flee,
To find ten thousand worlds in Thee.