How swiftly wafted in a sigh

Author: George Herbert
Published in 1 hymnal

Representative Text

1 How swiftly wafted in a Sigh
Thou god that hear'st the Prayer,
do our Requests invade the Sky
And pierce thy bending Ear!

2 My Suit is made, my Prayer is o'er,
If I but lift my Eye;
Thou gracious Father, canst no more
Not hear, than thou canst die.

3 How shall we thy great Arm revere
Which gives this All to be,
Connects the Center with the Sphere
And spans Infinity?

4 Whate'er our ardent Souls require,
Whate'er we wish is there;
Thy Power exceeds our scant Desire
And blames our partial Prayer.

5 O! how unbounded is thy Love
Which when thou could'st not die,
Descending from thy Throne above
Put on mortality!

6 Thou leav'st thy Father's blissful Face
Our Guilt and Curse to assume,
To burst the Bars that stop'd thy Grace
And make thy Bounty room.

7 Then still let prayer with me remain,
This my Companion be:
So shall I all my wants obtain,
Obtain all Heaven in thee!

Source: A Collection of Psalms and Hymns #XXXIX

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Author: George Herbert

Herbert, George, M.A., the fifth son of Richard Herbert and Magdalen, the daughter of Sir Richard Newport, was born at his father's seat, Montgomery Castle, April 3, 1593. He was educated at Westminster School, and at Trinity College, Cambridge, graduating B.A. in 1611. On March 15, 1615, he became Major Fellow of the College, M.A. the same year, and in 1619 Orator for the University. Favoured by James I., intimate with Lord Bacon, Bishop Andrewes, and other men of influence, and encouraged in other ways, his hopes of Court preferment were somewhat bright until they were dispelled by the deaths of the Duke of Richmond, the Marquis of Hamilton, and then of King James himself. Retiring into Kent, he formed the resolution of taking Holy Orders… Go to person page >

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