Scripture Verse

I hold the keys of death and Hades. Revelation 1:18

Introduction

portrait
George C. Stebbins (1846–1945)

Words: Jo­seph Par­ker, in Gos­pel Hymns No. 5, ed­it­ed by Ira D. San­key, James Mc­Gra­na­han & George Steb­bins (Cin­cin­na­ti, Ohio & New York: John Church and Big­low & Main, 1887), num­ber 134. Some hym­nals in­cor­rect­ly give his first name as John.

Music: Nat­chi­to­ches George C. Steb­bins (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
Joseph Parker
1830–1902

Lyrics

God holds the key of all un­known,
And I am glad;
If oth­er hands should hold the key,
Or if He trust­ed it to me,
I might be sad, I might be sad.

What if to­mor­row’s cares were here
Without its rest!
I’d rather He un­lock­ed the day;
And, as the hours swing op­en, say,
My will is best, My will is best.

The very dim­ness of my sight
Makes me sec­ure;
For, grop­ing in my mis­ty way,
I feel His hand; I hear Him say,
My help is sure, My help is sure.

I can­not read His fu­ture plans;
But this I know;
I have the smil­ing of His face,
And all the re­fuge of His grace,
While here be­low, while here be­low.

Enough! this cov­ers all my wants,
And so I rest!
For what I can­not, He can see,
And in His care I saved shall be,
Forever blest, for­ev­er blest.