Scripture Verse

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. Mark 12:30

Introduction

portrait
John Fawcett
1740–1817
© National Portrait Gallery

Words: John Faw­cett, Hymns Adapt­ed to the Cir­cum­stanc­es of Pub­lic Wor­ship and Pri­vate De­vo­tion 1782.

Music: Green Hill (Peace) Al­bert L. Peace, 1885 (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
Albert L. Peace
1844–1912

Lyrics

Religion is the chief concern
Of mortals here below:
May I its great importance learn
Its sovereign virtue know!

More needful this than glittering wealth
Or aught the world bestows;
Nor reputation, food nor health,
Can give us such repose.

Religion should our thoughts engage,
Amidst our youthful bloom;
’Twill fit us for declining age,
And for the awful tomb.

O may my heart, by grace renewed,
Be my Redeemer’s throne;
And be my stubborn will subdued,
His government to own!

Let deep repentance, faith, and love
Be joined with godly fear;
And all my conversation prove
My heart to be sincere.

Let lively hope my soul inspire;
Let warm affections rise;
And may I wait with strong desire
To mount above the skies!