Meter: 8.8.8.8 Appears in 94 hymnals Scripture: Psalm 107 First Line: Thro' all the various shifting scene Lyrics: 1 Thro' all the various shifting scene
Of life's mistaken ill or good;
Thy hand, O God, conducts unseen
The beautiful vicissitude.
2 Thou givest with paternal care,
Howe'er unjustly we complain,
To each their necessary share
Of joy and sorrow, health and pain.
3 Trust we to youth, or friends, or power,
Fix we on this terrestrial ball?
When most secure, the coming hour,
If thou see fit, may blast them all.
4 When lowest sunk with grief and shame,
Fill'd with affliction's bitter cup,
Lost to relations, friends, and fame,
Thy pow'rful hand can raise us up.
5 Thy powerful consolations cheer,
Thy smiles suppress the deep-fetch'd sigh,
Thy hand can dry the trickling tear
That secret wets the widow's eye.
6 All things on earth, and all in Heaven
On thy eternal will depend;
And all for greater good were given,
And all shall in thy glory end.
7 This be my care; to all beside
Indifferent let my wishes be;
"Passion be calm; and dumb be pride,
"And fix'd, O God, my soul on thee." Topics: Creation and Providence; Providence Equitable and king
Providence equitable and kind