He hath blessed thy children within thee.
Psalm 147:13
Words: Harriet Mozley (1803–1852).
Music: Edgecumbe Olinthus R. Barnicott (1842–1908) (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tune:
If you know where to get a good picture of Mozley or Barnicott (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
By Thy birth, O Lord of all,
In a stable’s lowly stall,
Where Thou didst vouchsafe to rest
On a human mother’s breast;
Guard Thy children, Lord, to Thee
Chanting this our litany.
By Thy humble bed of straw,
Thy obedience to the law;
By Thy forty days of woe
Wrestling with the mighty foe;
Guard Thy children, Lord, to Thee
Chanting this our litany.
By the hallowed water poured
On Thy sacred head, O Lord,
When Thou Jordan’s wave didst bless,
And fulfill all righteousness;
Guard Thy children, Lord, to Thee
Chanting this our litany.
By the anguish laid on Thee,
Kneeling in Gethsemane,
By Thy cross and precious death,
By Thy last expiring breath;
Guard Thy children, Lord, to Thee
Chanting this our litany.
By the word of pardon blest
To the dying thief addressed,
By Thy cold and rocky bed,
By Thy sojourn ’midst the dead;
Guard Thy children, Lord, to Thee
Chanting this our litany.
By Thy resurrection bright
By Thy wondrous heavenly flight,
By the throne where Thou dost stand
At Thy Father’s own right hand;
Guard Thy children, Lord, to Thee
Chanting this our litany.