Sovereign Ruler of the Skies

Words: John Ryland, August 1, 1777.

Music: Da Christus geboren melody probably by Johann F. Doles (1715–1797) (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

Dallas Luigi Cherubini (1760–1842) (🔊 pdf nwc)
Forgiveness George M. Garrett, 1872, alt (🔊 pdf nwc)
Pleyel’s Hymn Ignaz J. Pleyel, 1791 (🔊 pdf nwc)
Shore anonymous, in the Hymnal and Canticles of the Protestant Episcopal Church with Music, edited by Walter B. Gilbert & Alfred B. Goodrich (New York: E. P. Dutton, 1883), number 523) (🔊 pdf nwc)

If you have access to a better picture of Doles (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),

Sovereign Ruler of the skies,
Ever gracious, ever wise!
All our times are in Thy hand—
All events at Thy command.

Plagues and deaths around me fly;
Till He bids, I cannot die;
Not a single shaft can hit,
Till the God of love sees fit.

O Thou gracious, wise and just,
In Thy hands my life I trust;
Have I somewhat dearer still?
I resign it to Thy will.

Thee, at all times, will I bless;
Having Thee, I all possess;
I can ne’er bereavèd be,
Since I cannot part with Thee.

Scripture Verse