Dear Giver of All Life, We Pray

 

A Sexagesima Hymn

887 447

Tune: In dich hab’ ich gehoffet (TLH 524)

 

1 Dear Giver of all life, we pray

Keep us believing till that Day,

When ends this earth’s sad story,

When what You grow

Your light will show

In heavenly joy and glory.

 

2 As Israel lived from manna sweet

Until their trial was complete,

So while we here must wander,

Feed us Your Word

Until is heard

Your trumpet calling yonder. 

 

3 As manna laid in chest of gold

So may our hearts by faith now hold

The Bread that life is giving;

In every need,

Lord, let Your Seed

Preserve us here believing. 

 

4 If we must see Your Word despised,

And stolen by the devil’s lies,

Or die in persecution,

Through trial’s pain

Our faith sustain

From unbelief’s pollution!

 

5 And since we in poor flesh are found,

Where thorns and cares of life abound,

Protect each failing conscience!

By Your own toil

Break up the soil,

And lead us to repentance.

 

6 As only four were found by God,

When He’d have gladly spared the rod,

And saved the sinful city,

So let us know

The way to go

When ends the day of pity. 

 

7 A broken heart You don’t despise,

So lift, we pray, the sinner’s eyes

To find Your heart still speaking;

Who sin still feel

To them reveal

Their Shepherd calling, seeking.

 

8 Once in the earth of our own flesh

The eternal Word was planted fresh,

And grew in God’s own favor,

Our debt He paid,

In earth was laid,

And rose alive, our Savior. 

 

9 So plant deep in my heart, O Lord,

Your Gospel’s true, undying Word,

That speaks our sin forgiven,

And still will stay

When pass away

This dying earth and heaven. 

 

10 Then let us live by faith while here,

And evermore Your Word revere

As life when all is dying,

Till we will see

Eternally

What it is now supplying. 

            2/20/19