Scripture Verse

O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer. Psalm 84:8

Introduction

portrait
Augustus M. Toplady (1740–1778)
National Portrait Gallery

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Words: Au­gus­tus M. Top­la­dy, in the Gos­pel Ma­ga­zine, De­cem­ber 1774.

Music: Tim­na Lo­well Ma­son, Car­mi­na Sac­ra (Bos­ton, Mas­sa­chu­setts: John H. Wil­kins & Ri­chard B. Car­ter, 1841), page 231 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Lyrics

Inspirer and hearer of prayer,
Thou shepherd and guardian of Thine,
My all to Thy covenant care,
I, sleeping or waking, resign.

If Thou art my shield and my sun,
The night is no darkness to me;
And, fast as my minutes roll on,
They bring me but nearer to Thee.

A sovereign protector I have,
Unseen, yet for ever at hand;
Unchangeably faithful to save,
Almighty to rule and command.

His smiles and His comforts abound,
His grace, as the dew, shall descend;
And walls of sal­va­tion surround
The soul He delights to defend.