You help make Hymnary.org possible. More than 10 million people from 200+ countries found hymns, liturgical resources and encouragement on Hymnary.org in 2025, including you. Every visit affirms the global impact of this ministry.

If Hymnary has been meaningful to you this year, would you take a moment today to help sustain it? A gift of any size—paired with a note of encouragement if you wish—directly supports the server costs, research work and curation that keep this resource freely available to the world.

Give securely online today, or mail a check to:
Hymnary.org
Calvin University
3201 Burton Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Thank you for your partnership, and may the hope of Advent fill your heart.

Click here to donate to Hymnary.org I have already donated. Please don't show this to me again
Text:Guard Thy Children
Author:Anon.
Tune:GREENVILLE
Composer:Rousseau

735. Guard Thy Children

1 Gracious Father, guard thy children
From the foe's destructive pow'r;
Save O save them, Lord, from falling
In this dark and trying hour.
Thou wilt surely prove thy people,
All our graces must be tried;
But thy word illumes our pathway,
And in God we still confide.

2 We are in the time of waiting;
Soon we shall behold our Lord,
Wafted far away from sorrow,
To receive our rich reward.
Keep us, Lord, till thine appearing,
Pure, unspotted from the world;
Let thy Holy Spirit cheer us
Till thy banner is unfurled.

Text Information
First Line: Gracious Father, guard thy children
Title: Guard Thy Children
Author: Anon.
Language: English
Publication Date: 1908
Topic: The Home Eternal: Waiting for Christ
Notes: Public Domain.
Tune Information
Name: GREENVILLE
Composer: Rousseau
Meter: 8s & 7s. D.
Key: F Major
Notes: Public Domain.



Media
More media are available on the text authority and tune authority pages.

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us
It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. Ad revenue helps keep us running. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or getting Hymnary Pro to eliminate ads entirely and help support Hymnary.org.