Scripture Verse

Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Galatians 4:6

Introduction

Words: Phi­lip Dodd­ridge (1702–1751). Pub­lished post­hu­mous­ly in Hymns Found­ed on Va­ri­ous Texts in the Ho­ly Scrip­tures, by Job Or­ton (Shrop­shire, Eng­land: Jo­shua Ed­dowes & John Cot­ton, 1755), num­ber 281: A fi­li­al tem­per the work of the Spi­rit, and proof of adop­tion.

Music: La­ti­mer, anon­y­mous, in Book of Hymns and Tunes, ed­it­ed by E. Thomp­son Baird & Charles C. Con­verse (Rich­mond, Vir­gin­ia: Pres­by­te­ri­an Com­mit­tee of Pub­li­ca­tion, 1874), page 186 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

portrait
Philip Doddridge
1702–1751

Lyrics

Sovereign of all the worlds on high,
Allow my humble claim;
Nor, while a worm would raise its head,
Disdain a father’s name.

My Father God! How sweet the sound!
How tender, and how dear!
Not all the melody of Heav’n
Could so delight the ear.

Come, sacred Spirit, seal the name
On mine expanding heart;
And show, that in Jehovah’s grace
I share a filial part.

Cheered by a signal so divine,
Unwavering I believe;
Thou know’st I Abba, Father, cry,
Nor can the sign deceive.

On wings of everlasting love
The Comforter is come;
All terrors at His voice disperse,
And endless pleasures bloom.