Scripture Verse

Strengthen, O God, that which Thou hast wrought for us. Psalm 68:28

Introduction

Words: Hen­ry J. Buck­oll, in Psalms and Hymns for Rug­by School Cha­pel, 1850.

Music: Eton Col­lege Jo­seph Barn­by, in Hymns An­cient and Mo­dern, 1889 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of Buck­oll (head-and-shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Joseph Barnby
1838–1896

Lyrics

Lord, dismiss us with Thy blessing,
Thanks for mercies past receive;
Pardon all, their faults confessing;
Time that’s lost may all retrieve;
May Thy children
Ne’er again Thy Spirit grieve.

Bless Thou all our days of leisure;
Help us selfish lures to flee;
Sanctify our every pleasure;
Pure and blameless may it be;
May our gladness
Draw us evermore to Thee.

By Thy kindly influence cherish
All the good we here have gained;
May all taint of evil perish
By Thy mightier power restrained;
Seek we ever
Knowledge pure and love unfeigned.

Let Thy father-hand be shielding
All who here shall meet no more;
May their seed-time past be yielding
Year by year a richer store;
Those returning,
Make more faithful than before.