Scripture Verse

Oh that Thou wouldest bless me indeed…and that Thou wouldest keep me from evil. 1 Chronicles 4:10

Introduction

Words: B. W. R. Taylor, in The Church Hym­nal, ed­it­ed by Charles L. Hutch­ins (Bos­ton, Mas­sa­chu­setts: Par­ish Choir, 1920), num­ber 26.

Music: Peace (Nar­ra­tive), from Voic­es of Praise, ed­it­ed by Charles L. Hutch­ins (Bos­ton, Mas­sa­chu­setts: Dit­son & Com­pa­ny, 1883), num­ber 277 (🔊 pdf nwc). Some sources say the tune comes from Nar­ra­tive Hymns.

Alternate Tune:

  • Evening In­vo­ca­tion H. B. Whit­ney, in The Church Hym­nal, ed­it­ed by Charles L. Hutch­ins (Bos­ton, Mas­sa­chu­setts: The Par­ish Choir, 1920), page 25 (🔊 pdf nwc)

If you know Tay­lor’s full name, or where to get a good pho­to of him (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

Bless me, O my Sav­ior, bless me,
Kneeling at Thy throne of grace;
Here I sought Thee, here I find Thee,
In Thine ark and rest­ing place.

Blessèd Sav­ior, Thou who gav­est
Full re­demp­tion by Thy blood,
Wash me from my foul of­fens­es;
Cleanse me, O Thou Son of God!

Breathe up­on me, gra­cious Spir­it,
Benediction full and strong;
Keep my feet in safe­ty’s path­way,
Keep my soul from sin and wrong.

Sacred Tri­ni­ty of pow­er,
Mystic Un­ity ab­ove,
Sanctify this ev­en­ing hour
With Thine end­less, bound­less love.

Throned in glo­ry, veiled in splen­dor,
Praised by all the heav’n­ly host,
Hear our Ho­ly, Ho­ly, Ho­ly,
Father, Son and Ho­ly Ghost.