I Know Not What the Future Hath

Representative Text

1 I know not what the future hath
Of marvel or surprise,
Assured alone that life and death
God's mercy underlies.

2 And if my heart and flesh are weak
To bear an untried pain,
The bruised reed He will not break
But strengthen and sustain.

3 And Thou, O Lord, by whom are seen
Thy creatures as they be,
Forgive me if too close I learn
My human heart on Thee.

4 And so beside the silent sea
I wait the muffled oar:
No harm from Him can come to me
On ocean or on shore.

5 I know not where His island lift
Their fronded palms in air;
I only know I cannot drift
Beyond His love and care.

Amen.

Source: Worship and Service Hymnal: For Church, School, and Home #371

Author: John Greenleaf Whittier

Whittier, John Greenleaf, the American Quaker poet, was born at Haverhill, Massachusetts, Dec. 17, 1807. He began life as a farm-boy and shoemaker, and subsequently became a successful journalist, editor and poet. In 1828 he became editor of the American Manufacturer (Boston), in 1830 of the New England Review, and an 1836 (on becoming Secretary to the American Anti-Slavery Society) of the Pennsylvania Freeman. He was also for some time, beginning with 1847, the corresponding editor of the National Era. In 1840 he removed to Amesbury, Massachusetts, where most of his later works have been written. At the present time [1890] he lives alternately at Amesbury and Boston. His first poetical piece was printed in the Newburyport Free Press in 182… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: I know not what the future hath
Title: I Know Not What the Future Hath
Author: John Greenleaf Whittier
Meter: 8.6.8.6
Place of Origin: United States
Language: English
Notes: Spanish translation: See "Lo que me trae el porvenir" by Barbara Mink
Copyright: Public Domain

Tune

GREEN HILL (Peace)


COOLING (Abbey)


BROTHER JAMES' AIR

BROTHER JAMES' AIR was composed by James Leith Macbeth Bain (b. Scotland, c. 1840; d. Liverpool, England, 1925), the healer, mystic, and poet known simply as Brother James. The tune was first published in his volume The great peace: being a New Year's greeting ... (1915). Born in a devout Christian…

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Timeline

Media

The Cyber Hymnal #2861
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Instances

Instances (1 - 5 of 5)

Community of Christ Sings #246

TextScoreAudio

The Cyber Hymnal #2861

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Worship and Service Hymnal #371

Text

Worship in Song #238

Hymns of the Saints #126

Include 36 pre-1979 instances
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