You hold me by my right hand.
Psalm 73:23–24
Words: William Canton, in Good Words, 1893, page 333.
Music: Miserere Mei melody from Seven Sobs of a Sorrowful Soul, 1585 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Canton (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Hold Thou my hands!
In grief and joy, in hope and fear,
Lord, let me feel that Thou art near:
Hold Thou my hands!
If e’er by doubts
Of Thy good fatherhood depressed,
I cannot find in Thee my rest:
Hold Thou my hands!
Hold Thou my hands!
These passionate hands too quick to smite,
These hands so eager for delight:
Hold Thou my hands!
And when at length,
With darkened eyes and fingers cold,
I seek some last loved hand to hold,
Hold Thou my hands!