Scripture Verse

The Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces. Isaiah 25:8

Introduction

portrait
James T. Lightwood
1856–1944

Words: Tho­mas Jer­vis, in A Se­lect­ion of Sacr­ed Po­et­ry (Phi­la­del­phia, Penn­syl­van­ia: Tho­mas Dob­son, 1812), num­ber 166, alt. God the on­ly source of con­so­la­tion.

Music: Ly­tham (Light­wood) James T. Light­wood, cir­ca 1900 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

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

Lyrics

To calm the sorrows of the mind,
Our heav’nly friend is nigh,
To wipe the anxious tear that starts,
Or trembles in the eye.

Thou canst, when anguish rends the heart,
The secret woe control;
The inward malady canst heal,
The sickness of the soul.

Thou canst repress the rising sigh,
Canst soothe each mortal care;
And every deep and heartfelt groan
Is wafted to Thine ear.

Thy gracious eye is watchful still;
Thy potent arm can save
From threatening danger and disease,
And all-devouring grave.

When pale and languid all the frame,
The ruthless hand of pain
Arrests the feeble powers of life,
The help of man is vain.

’Tis Thou, great God! alone canst check
The progress of disease;
And sickness, awed by power divine,
The high command obeys.

Eternal source of life and health.
And every bliss we feel!
In sorrow and in joy to Thee
Our grateful hearts appeal.