Scripture Verse

I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say. Exodus 4:12

Introduction

illustration
Jesus Ordaining the Apostles

Words: Charles Wes­ley, Hymns and Sac­red Po­ems, Vol­ume 1 (Bris­tol, Eng­land: Fe­lix Farley, 1749), num­ber 191. For a Min­is­ter, go­ing forth to preach.

Music: Tru­ro, from Psal­mo­dia Ev­an­ge­li­ca, by Tho­mas Will­iams, 1789 (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
Charles Wesley (1707–1788)

Lyrics

Jesus, the Truth and Power divine,
Send forth this messenger of Thine;
His hands confirm, his heart inspire,
And touch his lips with hallowed fire.

Be Thou his mouth and wisdom, Lord;
Thou, by the hammer of Thy Word,
The rocky hearts in pieces break,
And bid the son of thunder speak.

To those who would their Lord embrace,
Give him to preach the word of grace;
Sweetly their yielding bosom move,
And melt them with the fire of love.

Let all with thankful hearts confess
Thy welcome messenger of peace;
Thy power in his report be found,
And let Thy feet behind him sound.