Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him.
Matthew 14:31
Words: Myron W. Morse, in Joyful Sound, edited by John Sweney & William J. Kirkpatrick (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: John J. Hood, 1889), number 72.
Music: John R. Sweney (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Morse (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
There’s a hand held out in pity,
There’s a hand held out in love;
It will pilot to the city,
Where our Father dwells above.
Refrain
There’s a hand held out to you,
There’s a hand held out to me,
There’s a hand that will prove true,
Whatever our lot shall be.
Oh, how gently will it lead us!
Oh, how tender is its touch!
’Tis the blessèd hand of Jesus;
We all need it, oh, so much!
Refrain
Yes, ’tis love to me, a sinner,
Prompts this hand to reach so low,
Striving thus to be the winner,
Ere I reap what I shall sow.
Refrain
Shall I, to this hand extended,
Pay no heed as it invites?
Shall my Savior be offended,
Give I not to Him His rights?
Refrain
Nay, I would this proffered hand take,
Knowing that it leads aright;
Yes, I would this loving choice make;
Trusting in His love and might.
Refrain
Then, as hand in hand together,
With my Savior, with my friend,
With my Christ, my elder brother,
Let Him lead till life shall end.
Refrain