Hymn 138 - "A holy Father's constant care"

 

A holy Father's constant care

Keeps watch, with an unwearying eye,

To see what fruits His children bear—

Fruits that may suit their calling high;

 

 

Takes ever knowledge of our state:

What dims communion with His love,

Might check our growth, or separate

Our hearts from what's revealed above.

 

 

O wondrous love! that ne'er forgets

The objects of its tender care;

May chasten still, while sin besets,

To warn and guard them where they are;

 

 

Yet ne'er forgets, but feeds them still

With tokens of His tender love;

Will keep till, freed from every ill,

They find their rest with Him above.

 

 

O wondrous, infinite, divine!

Keep near, our souls, to that blest place

Where all those heav'nly glories shine,

Which suit the brightness of His face.

 

 

O lowliness, how feebly known,

That meets the grace that gave the Son!

That waits to serve Him as His own,

Till grace, what grace began, shall crown!