Scripture Verse

In Him we live, and move, and have our being. Acts 17:28

Introduction

portrait
Samuel Longfellow (1819–1892)

Words: Sam­uel Long­fel­low, 1864.

Music: Ger­ma­ny, Sac­red Me­lo­dies, by Will­iam Gar­di­ner, 1815 (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
William Gardiner (1770–1853)

Lyrics

O God, in whom we live and move,
Thy love is law, Thy law is love;
Thy present Spir­it waits to fill
The soul which comes to do Thy will.

Unto thy children’s spirits teach
Thy love, beyond the powers of speech;
And make them know, with joyful awe,
The encircling presence of Thy law.

Its patient working doth fulfill
Man’s hope, and God’s all-perfect will,
Nor suffers one true word or thought,
Or deed of love, to come to naught.

Such faith, O God, our spirits fill,
That we may work in patience still.
Who works for justice, works for Thee;
Who works in love, Thy child shall be.