Scripture Verse

Let it please Thee to bless the house of Thy servant. 2 Samuel 7:29

Introduction

Words: George Raw­son, in The Sab­bath Hymn and Tune Book, Bap­tist edi­tion, ed­it­ed by Low­ell Ma­son, Ed­wards A. Park & Aus­tin Phelps (New York: Shel­don, Blake­man, 1858).

Music: Kir­by Be­don Ed­ward Bun­nett, 1887 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Bun­nett (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
George Rawson (1807–1889)

Lyrics

Father of love and pow­er,
Guard Thou our ev­en­ing hour,
Shield with Thy might;
For all Thy care this day
Our grate­ful thanks we pay,
And to our Fa­ther pray,
Bless us to­night!

Jesus, Em­ma­nu­el,
Come, in Thy love to dwell
In hearts con­trite.
For all our sins we grieve,
But we Thy grace re­ceive,
And in Thy Word be­lieve;
Bless us to­night!

Spirit of ho­li­ness,
Gentle, trans­form­ing, grace,
Indwelling Light!
Soothe Thou each wea­ry breast,
Now let Thy peace pos­sessed
Calm us to per­fect rest;
Bless us to­night!