Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.
Psalm 54:4
Words: William Young (?-1757). The earliest instance of this hymn we have seen is in The Catholic Hymn Book (New York: Edward Dunigan & Bro., 1851), pages 151–52. Some sources attribute the text to the Portnerisches Gesangbuch, 1831.
Music: James R. Murray, in Gospel Hymns No. 6, edited by Ira D. Sankey et al. (New York & elsewhere: Biglow & Main and John Church, 1891), number 82 (🔊 pdf nwc).
While Thou, O my God, art my help and defender,
No cares can o’erwhelm me, no terrors appall;
The wiles and the snares of the world will but render
More lively my hope in my God and my all.
Refrain
My God, my all, my God, my all,
My treasure, my glory, my God and my all.
Yes, Thou art my refuge in sorrow and danger,
My strength when I suffer, my hope when I fall;
My comfort and joy in this land of the stranger,
My treasure, my glory, my God and my all.
Refrain
To Thee, dearest Lord, will I turn without ceasing,
Though grief may oppress me, or sorrow befall;
And love Thee, till death, my blest spirit releasing,
Secures me to Jesus, my God and my all.
Refrain
And when Thou demandest the life Thou hast given,
With joy will I answer Thy merciful call,
And quit this poor earth but to find Thee in Heaven,
My portion forever, my God and my all.
Refrain