The Lutheran Hymnary ‎#283

283. O Thou before whose presence

1 O Thou before whose presence
Naught evil may come in,
Yet who dost look in mercy
Down on this world of sin;
Oh, give us noble purpose
To set the sin-bound free,
And Christ-like tender pity
To seek the lost for Thee.

2 Fierce is our subtle foeman:
The forces at his hand
With woes that none can number,
Despoil the pleasant land;
All they who war against them,
In strife so keen and long,
Must in their Savior's armor
Be stronger than the strong.

3 So hast Thou wrought among us
The great things that we see:
For things that are we thank Thee,
And for the things to be.
For bright hope is uplifting
Faint hands and feeble knees,
To strive beneath Thy blessing
For greater things than these.

4 Lead on, O Love and Mercy,
O Purity and Power,
Lead on till peace eternal
Shall close this battle-hour:
Till all who prayed and struggled
To set their brethren free,
In triumph, meet to praise Thee,
Most Holy Trinity.

Text Information

• First Line: O Thou before whose presence
• Author: S. J. Stone (1889)
• Meter: 7, 6. 8L.
• Publication Date: 1913
• Topic: The Church Year: Third Sunday in Lent; The Church Year: Fourth Sunday after Epiphany; Activity and Zeal; Temperance

Tune Information

• Name: [O Thou before whose presence]
• Composer: Samuel S. Wesley (1864)
• Meter: 7, 6. 8L.
• Key: E♭ Major