Scripture Verse

There remaineth a rest to the people of God. Hebrews 4:9

Introduction

portrait
Thomas T. Lynch (1818–1871)

Words: Tho­mas T. Lynch, The Ri­vu­let (Lon­don: Ro­bert Theo­bald, 1855), num­ber 58.

Music: Ho­ly Day (Gow­er) John H. Gow­er, 1895 (🔊 pdf nwc).

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

Lyrics

Lord, on Thy returning day,
From common labor freed,
We are come to sing and pray
With felt returning need;
Come to seek our former rest,
Come to urge our old request.

Show us, Lord, the goal of life,
And give us heart to run;
Breathe the peace that follows strife,
Lest future work we shun:
Hearts that hasty time has grieved
Are by Sabbath calm relieved.

We would sing as in the rays
Of mercy ever bright,
Which endureth, to Thy praise,
For ever Thy delight:
Sing for happiness we know,
Or that we may happy grow.

We would pray as those who stand
Their truest friend beside,
Whom He taketh by the hand,
Unto their God to guide;
By His power and for His sake,
Fully us Thy children make.