Father of Men, Thy Care We Bless

I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment. Genesis 18:19

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 2: God’s gracious approbation of a religious care of our families.

Music: Maryton H. Percy Smith, in Church Hymns with Tunes (London: 1874) (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good photo of Smith (head-and-shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels), would you ?

Father of men, Thy care we bless,
Which crowns our families with peace:
From Thee they spring, and by Thy hand
Their root, and branches are sustained.

To God, most worthy to be praised,
Be our domestic altars raised;
Who, Lord of Heaven, scorns not to dwell
With saints, in their obscurest cell.

To Thee may each united house
Morning, and night, present its vows;
Our servants there, and rising race
Be taught Thy precepts, and Thy grace.

O may each future age proclaim
The honors of Thy glorious name,
While pleased, and thankful, we remove
To join the family above.

Scripture Verse

Introduction

Lyrics