Strengthen, O God, that which Thou hast wrought for us.
Psalm 68:28
Words: Henry J. Buckoll, in Psalms and Hymns for Rugby School Chapel, 1850.
Music: Eton College Joseph Barnby, in Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1889 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tune:
If you know where to get a good picture of Buckoll (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Lord, dismiss us with Thy blessing,
Thanks for mercies past receive;
Pardon all, their faults confessing;
Time that’s lost may all retrieve;
May Thy children
Ne’er again Thy Spirit grieve.
Bless Thou all our days of leisure;
Help us selfish lures to flee;
Sanctify our every pleasure;
Pure and blameless may it be;
May our gladness
Draw us evermore to Thee.
By Thy kindly influence cherish
All the good we here have gained;
May all taint of evil perish
By Thy mightier power restrained;
Seek we ever
Knowledge pure and love unfeigned.
Let Thy father-hand be shielding
All who here shall meet no more;
May their seed-time past be yielding
Year by year a richer store;
Those returning,
Make more faithful than before.