Lord, My Weak Thought in Vain Would Climb

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Lord, my weak thought in vain would climb

Author: Ray Palmer (1858)
Published in 58 hymnals

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Audio files: MIDI

Piano/Organ
	Join to Sing! 18 Organ Introductions on…

Choral
	TALLIS CANON, THE

Instrumental
	When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

Representative Text

1 Lord, my weak thought in vain would climb
to search the starry vault profound;
in vain would wing her flight sublime
to find creation's utmost bound.

2 But weaker yet that thought must prove
to search thy great eternal plan,
thy sov'reign counsels, born of love
long ages ere the world began.

3 When my dim reason would demand
why that, or this, thou dost ordain,
by some vast deep I seem to stand,
whose secrets I must ask in vain.

4 When doubts disturb my troubled breast,
and all is dark as night to me,
here, as on solid rock, I rest
that so it seemeth good to thee.

5 Be this my joy, that evermore
thou rulest all things at thy will;
thy sov'reign wisdom I adore,
and calmly, sweetly, trust thee still.

Source: Trinity Psalter Hymnal #225

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Author: Ray Palmer

Ray Palmer (b. Little Compton, RI, 1808; d. Newark, NJ, 1887) is often considered to be one of America's best nineteenth-century hymn writers. After completing grammar school he worked in a Boston dry goods store, but a religious awakening prodded him to study for the ministry. He attended Yale College (supporting himself by teaching) and was ordained in 1835. A pastor in Congregational churches in Bath, Maine (1835-1850), and Albany, New York (1850-1865), he also served as secretary of the American Congregational Union (1865-1878). Palmer was a popular preacher and author, writing original poetry as well as translating hymns. He published several volumes of poetry and hymns, including Sabbath Hymn Book (1858), Hymns and Sacred Pieces (1865… Go to person page >

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First Line:	Lord, my weak thought in vain would climb
Title:	Lord, My Weak Thought in Vain Would Climb
Author:	Ray Palmer (1858)
Meter:	8.8.8.8
Language:	English
Copyright:	Public Domain

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Tune

CANONBURY

Derived from the fourth piano piece in Robert A. Schumann's Nachtstücke, Opus 23 (1839), CANONBURY first appeared as a hymn tune in J. Ireland Tucker's Hymnal with Tunes, Old and New (1872). The tune, whose title refers to a street and square in Islington, London, England, is often matched to Haver…

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HAMBURG

Lowell Mason (PHH 96) composed HAMBURG (named after the German city) in 1824. The tune was published in the 1825 edition of Mason's Handel and Haydn Society Collection of Church Music. Mason indicated that the tune was based on a chant in the first Gregorian tone. HAMBURG is a very simple tune with…

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LOUVAN

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