Hymnal for Church and Home ‎#296

296. I Know, O God, I Need Thy Watchful Care

1 I know, O God, I need Thy watchful care,
Thou callest me when from Thy path I wander;
Thou chidest me, Thy rod Thou dost not spare,
Thy mighty hand is reaching me from yonder.

2 I know Thou smitest not to do me harm,
Thou lovest me when sinful ways Thou breakest;
I know Thy love for me is rich and warm,
Yea, warmest when Thou me most strongly shakest.

3 And yet each time Thy hand upon me lies,
When I in sin have left Thy call unheeded,
My heart breaks out in loud and bitter cries,
I think Thou smitest more than it is needed.

4 How oft my pray'r: "O God, Thy will be done!"
Has unto Thee in confidence ascended;
But when Thy will against mine own has gone,
I knew it was my own that I intended.

5 I waver, then, but know that Thou art right,
Thy guiding hand Thy wilful child is training;
Thy yoke is easy, and Thy burden light,
I know I have no reason for complaining.

6 Teach me, O God, to will but what Thou wilt,
And check Thou me when oft mine own I'm seeking;
Chastize Thou me, but take away my guilt,
And give me grace to hear when Thou art speaking.

Text Information

• First Line: I know, O God, I need Thy watchful care
• Title: I Know, O God, I Need Thy Watchful Care
• Author: Zakarias Nielsen
• Meter: 10, 11, 10, 11.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1927
• Topic: Spiritual Songs: Divine Care and Guidance
• Notes: Danish first line: Jeg ved det, Gud, jeg traenger til din Tugt; Translator: P. C. Paulsen

Tune Information

• Name: [I know, O God, I need Thy watchful care]
• Meter: 10, 11, 10, 11.
• Key: D Major