I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4
Words: Anne Steele (1716–1778).
Music: Orrington Carl F. Zelter (1758–1832), arranged by Lowell Mason, The Psaltery (Boston, Massachusetts: Wilkins, Carter, 1845), number 158 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good picture of Steele (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
When gloomy thoughts and fears
The trembling heart invade,
And all the face of nature wears
A universal shade;
Religion can assuage
The tempest of the soul;
And every fear shall lose its rage
At her divine control.
Through life’s bewildered way,
Her hand unerring leads;
And o’er the path her heavenly ray
A cheering luster sheds.
When reason, tired and blind,
Sinks helpless and afraid,
Thou blest supporter of the mind,
How powerful is thine aid!
Oh, let me feel thy power,
And find thy sweet relief,
To brighten every gloomy hour,
And soften every grief.