Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:2
Words: Ophelia G. Browning, 1920, alt. Some hymnals give the author as Mrs. F. G. Burroughs, one of Browning’s pseudonyms.
Music: Bentley D. Ackley (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Browning (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Dear Lord, take up our tangled strands,
Where we have wrought in vain,
That by the skill of Thy dear hands
Some beauty may remain.
Refrain
Transformed by grace divine,
The glory shall be Thine;
To Thy most holy will, O Lord,
We now our all resign.
Touch Thou the sad, discordant keys
Of every troubled breast,
And change to peaceful harmonies
The sighings of unrest.
Refrain
Where broken vows in fragments lie—
The toil of wasted years—
Do Thou make whole again, we cry,
And give a song for tears.
Refrain
Take all the failures, each mistake
Of our poor human ways,
Then, Savior, for Thine own dear sake,
Make them show forth Thy praise.
Refrain