Scripture Verse

The Lord was my stay. Psalm 18:18

Introduction

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John B. Dykes (1823–1876)

Words: Am­brose of Mi­lan (340–397) (Re­rum De­us Te­nax Vi­gor). Trans­lat­ed from La­tin to Eng­lish by John El­ler­ton & Fen­ton J. A. Hort in Church Hymns (So­cie­ty for Pro­mot­ing Chris­tian Know­ledge, 1871).

Music: Strength and Stay John B. Dykes, 1875 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

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John Ellerton (1826–1893)

Lyrics

O strength and stay upholding all creation,
Who ever dost Thy­self unmoved abide;
Yet day by day the light in due gradation
From hour to hour through all its changes guide.

Grant to life’s day a calm unclouded ending,
An eve untouched by shadows of decay,
The brightness of a holy deathbed blending
With dawning glories of the eter­nal day.

Hear us, O Fa­ther, gracious and forgiving,
Through Je­sus Christ Thy co-eter­nal Word,
Who, with the Holy Ghost, by all things living
Now and to endless ages art adored.