The Hymnal ‎#282

282. I bow my forehead to the dust

1 I bow my forehead to the dust,
I veil mine eyes for shame,
And urge, in trembling self-distrust,
A prayer without a claim.
No offering of mine own I have,
No works my faith to prove;
I can but give the gifts He gave,
And plead His love for love.

2 I know not what the future hath
Of marvel or surprise,
Assured alone that life and death
His mercy underlies.
And so beside the silent sea
I wait the muffled oar:
No harm from Him can come to me
On ocean or on shore.

3 I know not where His islands lift
Their fronded palms in air;
I only know I cannot drift
Beyond His love and care.
And Thou, O Lord, by whom are seen
Thy creatures as they be,
Forgive me if too close I lean
My human heart on Thee.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: I bow my forehead to the dust
• Author: John G. Whittier (1867)
• Meter: C. M. D.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1950
• Topic: The Life in Christ: Trust; Confidence; God: Presence, His Abiding; Hope; Humility; Trust and Confidence

Tune Information

• Name: PENTATONE
• Composer: Henry Walford Davies
• Meter: C. M. D.
• Key: E Major
• Copyright: Tune from "A Students' Hymnal" (Hymns of the Kingdom). Used by permission of the Oxford University Press.