Scripture Verse

Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? Hebrews 1:14

Introduction

illustration
The Guardian Angel
Pietro Da Cortona
1596–1669

Words: Ro­bert Camp­bell, Hymns and An­thems, 1850, page 94.

Music: Wool­mer’s Fred­er­ick A. Gore-Ou­se­ley, in Hymns An­cient and Mo­dern, 1861 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of Camp­bell (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Frederick A. Gore-Ouseley (1825–1889)

Lyrics

They come, God’s messengers of love,
They come from realms of peace above,
From homes of ne­ver fading light,
From blissful mansions ever bright.

They come to watch around us here,
To soothe our sorrow, calm our fear:
Ye heavenly guides, speed not away,
God willeth you with us to stay.

But chiefly at its journey’s end
’Tis yours the spirit to befriend,
And whisper to the faithful heart,
O Chris­tian soul, in peace depart.

Blest Je­su, Thou whose groans and tears
Have sanctified frail nature’s fears,
To earth in bitter sorrow weighed,
Thou didst not scorn Thine angel’s aid;

An angel guard to us supply,
When on the bed of death we lie;
And by Thine own al­migh­ty power
O shield us in the last dread hour.

To God the Fa­ther, God the Son,
And God the Spi­rit, Three in One,
From all above and all below,
Let joyful praise unceasing flow.