Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-book ‎#317

317. I will sing my Maker's praises

1 I WILL sing my Maker's praises
And in Him most joyful be,
For in all things I see traces
Of His tender love to me.
Nothing else but love could move Him,
With such sweet and tender care
Evermore to raise and bear
All who try to serve and love Him.
All things else have but their day,
God's great love abides for aye.

2 As an eagle spreadeth over
Her young brood her sheltering wings,
So the arm of God did cover
Me against affliction's stings.
He who life and being gave me,
Even in my mother's womb,
From the cradle to the tomb
He shall ever guard and save me.
All things else have but their day,
God's great love abides for aye.

3 Yea, so dear did He esteem me,
That His Son He loved so well
He hath given to redeem me
From the quenchless flames of hell.
O Thou Spring of boundless blessing,
How could e'er my feeble mind
Of Thy depth the bottom find,
Though my efforts were unceasing?
All things else have but their day,
God's great love abides for aye.

4 God His Spirit to instruct me
In His holy Word hath given,
That He safely may conduct me
Through this weary world to heaven.
He my heart's dark chamber filleth
With the clear pure light of faith,
Which destroys the power of death,
Yea, e'en hell itself it stilleth.
All things else have but their day,
God's great love abides for aye.

5 All which for my soul is needful
He doth carefully provide,
Nor of that is He unheedful
Which my body needs beside.
When my strength can not avail me,
When my powers can do no more,
Doth my God His strength outpour,
In my need He doth not fail me.
All things else have but their day,
God's great love abides for aye.

6 All the hosts of earth and heaven
Wheresoe'er I turn mine eye,
For my benefit are given,
That they may my need supply.
All that's living, all that's growing,
On the heights or in the woods,
In the vales or in the floods,
God is for my good bestowing.
All things else have but their day,
God's great love abides for aye.

7 When I sleep, He still is near me,
O'er me rests His guardian eye;
And new gifts and blessings cheer me,
When the morning streaks the sky.
Were it not for God's protection,
Had His countenance not been
Here my guide, I had not seen
E'er the end of my affliction.
All things else have but their day,
God's great love abides for aye.

8 Ah! how often doth the Devil
Cause some great calamity!
But my life from all such evil
Till this moment has been free.
For the angel whom God sendeth,
Wardeth off each threatening hurt,
Every evil doth avert
That mine enemy intendeth.
All things else have but their day,
God's great love abides for aye.

9 As a father never turneth
Wholly from a wayward child,
For the prodigal still yearneth,
Longing to be reconciled:
So my many sins and errors
Find a tender pardoning God,
Chastening frailty with His rod,
Not, in vengeance, with His terrors.
All things else have but their day,
God's great love abides for aye.

10 All His strokes and scourges truly
For the moment grievous prove,
And yet, when I weigh them duly,
Are but tokens of His love:
Proofs that He is watching o'er me,
And by crosses to His fold,
From the world that fain would hold
Soul and body, would restore me.
All things else have but their day,
God's great love abides for aye.

11 On this thought I dwell with pleasure;
For it granteth joy and peace.
Christ's cross hath its time and measure,
And at last will wholly cease.
When the winter disappeareth,
Lovely summer comes again;
Joy is given for woe and pain
Who His cross in patience beareth.
All things else have but their day,
God's great love abides for aye.

12 Since, then, neither change nor coldness
In my Father's love can be,
Lo! I lift my hands with boldness,
As Thy child I come to Thee.
Grant me grace, O God, I pray Thee,
That I may with all my might,
All my life-time, day and night,
Love and trust Thee, and obey Thee;
And when this brief life is o'er,
Praise and love Thee evermore.

Text Information

• First Line: I will sing my Maker's praises
• Meter: 8, 7, 7, 8, 7
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1893
• Topic: Praise
• Notes: Comp.; German: Sollt' ich meinem Gott night singen - P. Gerhardt, 1659

Tune Information

(No tune information)