“Still For Thy Loving Kindness Lord”

“Still For Thy Loving Kindness, Lord”

Still for Thy loving-kindness, Lord,
I in Thy temple wait:
I look to find Thee in Thy word,
Or at thy table meet.

Here in Thine own appointed ways
I wait to learn Thy will:
Silent I stand before Thy face,
And hear Thee say, “Be still!”
“Be still, and know that I am God!”

‘Tis all I live to know!
To feel the virtue of Thy blood,
And spread its praise below!
I wait my vigour to renew,
Thine image to retrieve:
The veil of outward things pass through,
And gasp in Thee to live.

I work, and own the labour vain,
And thus from works I cease;
I strive and see my fruitless pain,
Till God create my peace.

Fruitless, till Thou Thyself impart,
Must all my efforts prove:
They cannot change a sinful heart,
They cannot purchase love.

I do the thing Thy laws enjoin,
And then the strive give o’er;
To Thee I then the whole resign,
And trust in means no more.

I trust in Him who stands between
The Father’s wrath and me;
Jesu, Thou great eternal Mean,
I look for all from Thee.