Scripture Verse

I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1

Introduction

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John Howson (1816–1885)

Words: John S. How­son, cir­ca 1880. Ac­cord­ing to a note in a fa­mi­ly man­us­cript, the hymn was writ­ten dur­ing a time of deep de­press­ion in a ner­vous break­down.

Music: Pas­tor Bo­nus Al­fred J. Cal­di­cott (1841–1897) (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
Alfred J. Caldicott (1841–1897)

Lyrics

At all times praise the Lord;
His pro­mis­es are sure;
What if thou doubt? His stead­fast Word
Unchanging shall en­dure.
Praise Him when skies are bright,
And glad­ness fills thy days;
Heav’n shames thee with its glo­ri­ous light,
And calls thee to His praise.

Praise Him when clouds are dark;
True faith waits not to prove;
Tho’ hope no bright’n­ing gleam may mark,
His mean­ing still is love.
Praise Him when drear and lone
The sha­dows ’round thee fall,
No eye up­on Thy sins but One—
Fear not, He par­dons all.

Praise Him when home is sweet,
As tho’ we ne’er should part;
But pray—while kin­dred spir­its meet—
Pray for a thought­ful heart.
Praise Him when far away
On mount­ain or on sea;
Each place is home to them who pray;
The Fa­ther guard­eth thee.

Praise Him when joy­ful songs
The saints on earth unite,
In sac­red chor­us, with the throngs
Of an­gels in the height.
At all times praise the Lord;
His pro­mises are sure;
Fear not, doubt not; His stead­fast Word
Unchanging shall en­dure.