Scripture Verse

I the Lord do not change. Malachi 3:6

Introduction

portrait
John C. Shairp
1819–1885

Words: John C. Shairp, 1871.

Music: St. Le­on­ard (Hiles) Hen­ry Hiles, 1867 (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
Henry Hiles
1826–1904

Lyrics

’Twixt gleams of joy and clouds of doubt our feelings come and go;
Our daily state is tossed about in ceaseless ebb and flow.
No mood of feeling, form of thought, is constant for a day;
But Thou, O Lord, Thou changest not, the same Thou art alway.

Out of the weak, unquiet drift that comes but to depart,
To that pure heaven my spirit lift where Thou unchanging art.
Lay hold of me with Thy strong grasp, let Thine al­migh­ty arm
In its embrace my weakness clasp, and I shall fear no harm.

Thy purpose of eter­nal good let me but surely know,
On this I’ll lean—let changing mood and feeling come or go
Glad when Thy sunshine fills my soul, nor sad when clouds overcast,
Since Thou within Thy sure control of love dost hold me fast.