1 Like as a father, pities his child,
So the Lord pities the sinner defiled;
Waiteth in kindness,
Pities our blindness,
Longeth to welcome, tho' often reviled.
2 Like as a father when we believe,
Merciful Saviour, He waits to receive;
Listens to hear us,
Blesses to cheer us,
Pities whenever His Spirit we grieve.
3 Like as a father, ever the same,
He that created, and knoweth our frame;
Watcheth the straying,
Guardeth the praying,
Bids us to trust in His Almighty name.
4 Like as a father, constant is He,
God is our passion regardeth our plea;
In need He cometh,
Precious His promise;
Father in heaven for ever to be.
Source: Christ in Song: for all religious services nearly one thousand best gospel hymns, new and old with responsive scripture readings (Rev. and Enl.) #77
Belden was born in Battle Creek, Michigan in 1858. He began writing music in his late teenage years after moving to California with his family. For health reasons he later moved to Colorado. He returned to Battle Creek with his wife in the early 1880s, and there he became involved in Adventist Church publishing. F. E. Belden wrote many hymn tunes, gospel songs, and related texts in the early years of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Belden was able to rapidly write both music and poetry together which enabled him to write a song to fit a sermon while it was still being delivered. He also wrote songs for evangelist Billy Sunday. Though Belden’s later years were marred by misunderstandings with the church leadership over his royal… Go to person page >
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