Scripture Verse

Thou art my Father, my God. Psalm 89:26

Introduction

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Isaac Smith (1734–1805)
National Portrait Gallery

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Words: Anne Steele, 1760.

Music: Abridge Is­aac Smith, Col­lect­ion of Psalm Tunes in Three Parts 1770 (🔊 pdf nwc).

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

Lyrics

My God, my Fa­ther, blissful name!
O may I call Thee mine,
May I, with sweet assurance, claim
A portion so divine?

This only can my fears control,
And bid my sorrows fly;
What harm can ever reach my soul,
Beneath my Fa­ther’s eye?

Whate’er Thy providence denies,
I calmly would resign,
For Thou art just, and good, and wise;
O bend my will to Thine.

Whate’er Thy sacred will ordains,
O give me strength to bear;
And let me know my Fa­ther reigns,
And trust His tender care.

If pain and sickness rend this frame,
And life almost depart,
Is not Thy mercy still the same,
To cheer my drooping heart?

If cares and sorrows me surround,
Their power why should I fear?
My inward peace they cannot wound,
If Thou, my God, art near.

Thy sovereign ways are all unknown
To my weak, erring sight;
Yet let my soul, adoring, own
That all Thy ways are right.

My God, my Fa­ther! be Thy name
My solace and my stay;
O wilt Thou seal my humble claim,
And drive my fears away?