Author: John Newton (1725-1807) Composer: William Croft, 1708 (1678-1727)
1. While Fear hints, “There’s something God will deny,” “No good thing,” is Faith’s decisive reply; Whate’er He withholds is most wisely denied; How full is the promise, “The Lord will provide.”
2. Begone, unbelief, my Saviour is near, And for my relief will shortly appear By faith let me wrestle, and He will perform; With Christ in the vessel, I smile at the storm.
3. His love in time past forbids me to think He’ll leave me at last in trouble to sink; Each sweet Ebenezer I have in review Confirms His good pleasure to help me quite through.
4. Though dark be my way, since He is my guide, ’Tis mine to obey, ’tis His to provide; Though cisterns be broken, and creatures all fail, The word He has spoken shall surely prevail.
5. Since all that I meet shall work for my good, The bitter is sweet, the medicine food; Though painful at present, ’twill end before long, And then, Oh, how pleasant the conqueror’s song.
6. Why should I complain of want or distress, Temptation or pain? He told me no less; The heirs of salvation, I know from His word, Through much tribulation must follow their Lord.
7. How bitter that cup, no heart can conceive, Which He drank quite up, that sinners might live. His way was much rougher and darker than mine. Did Jesus thus suffer and shall I repine?
8. Though troubles assail, and dangers affright, Though friends shall all fail and foes all unite, Yet one thing secures us, whatever betide, The Scriptures assure us the Lord will provide.
9. How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in His excellent word! What more can He say than to you He hath said, You who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?