The Cyber Hymnal ‎#1588

1588. Forth in Thy Name, O Lord

1. Forth in Thy name, O Lord, I go,
My daily labor to pursue;
Thee, only Thee, resolved to know
In all I think or speak or do.

2. The task Thy wisdom hath assigned,
O let me cheerfully fulfill;
In all my works Thy presence find,
And prove Thy good and perfect will.

3. Preserve me from my calling’s snare,
And hide my simple heart above,
Above the thorns of choking care,
The gilded baits of worldly love.

4. Thee may I set at my right hand,
Whose eyes mine inmost substance see,
And labor on at Thy command,
And offer all my works to Thee.

5. Give me to bear Thy easy yoke,
And every moment watch and pray,
And still to things eternal look,
And hasten to Thy glorious day.

6. For Thee delightfully employ
Whate’er Thy bounteous grace hath giv’n;
And run my course with even joy,
And closely walk with Thee to Heav’n.

Text Information

• First Line: Forth in Thy name, O Lord, I go
• Title: Forth in Thy Name, O Lord
• Author: Charles Wesley (1749)
• Meter: LM
• Language: English
• Source: Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1749
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: This hymn is an ideal expression of the spirit and feelings of a consecrated and faithful child of God as he goes forth to his daily tasks. Such sentiments have power to turn even drudgery into a life of noble and blessed service. Never fear, said Phillips Brooks, to bring the sublimest motive to the smallest duty, and the most infinite comfort to the smallest trouble. Nutter, p. 213 Alternate tunes: ANGELS (SONG 34), Orlando Gibbons, 1623; HURSLEY, Katholisches Gesangbuch (Vienna: 1774); ROCKINGHAM (MILLER), Carl P. E. Bach, arranged by Edward Miller, 1790

Tune Information

• Name: DUKE STREET
• Composer (attributed to): John Hatton (1793)
• Meter: LM
• Incipit: 13467 17655 55654
• Key: D Major
• Copyright: Public Domain