It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.
Lamentations 3:22
Words: William C. Bryant, in A Collection of Psalms and Hymns, edited by Henry Devereux Sewall (New York: C. S. Van Winkle, printer, 1820), number 29. The loving-kindness of our God.
Music: Canonbury adapted from Nachtstück, Opus 23, No. 4, by Robert A. Schumann, 1839 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tunes:
Father! to Thy kind love we owe
All that is fair and good below;
Bestower of the health that lies
On tearless cheeks and cheerful eyes!
Giver of sunshine and of rain!
Ripener of fruits on hill and plain!
Fountain of light, that rayed afar,
Fills the vast urns of sun and star!
Who send’st Thy storms and frosts to bind
The plagues that rise to waste mankind;
Then breathest, o’er the naked scene,
Spring gales, and life, and tender green.
Yet deem we not that thus alone,
Thy mercy and Thy love are shown;
For we have learned, with higher praise,
And holier names, to speak Thy ways.
In woe’s dark hour, our kindest stay!
Sole trust when life shall pass away!
Teacher of hopes that light the gloom
Of death, and consecrate the tomb!
Patient, with headstrong guilt to bear;
Slow to avenge, and kind to spare;
Listening to prayer, and reconciled
Full quickly to Thy erring child!