Church Book ‎#411

411. O for a Faith that will not shrink

1 O for a Faith that will not shrink,
Though prest by many a foe;
That will not tremble on the brink
Of poverty or woe;

2 That will not murmur nor complain
Beneath the chastening rod:
But in the hour of grief or pain
Can lean upon its God.

3 A Faith that shines more bright and clear
When tempests rage without;
That when in danger knows no fear,
In darkness feels no doubt:

4 That bears unmoved the world's dread frown,
Nor heeds its scornful smile;
That sin's wild ocean cannot drown,
Nor Satan's arts beguile:

5 A Faith that keeps the narrow way
Till life's last hour is fled,
And with a pure and heavenly ray
Lights up a dying bed.

6 Lord, give us such a Faith as this,
And then whate'er may come,
We'll taste e'en here the hallowed bliss
Of an eternal home.

Text Information

• First Line: O for a Faith that will not shrink
• Author: William Hiley Bathurst (1830, a.)
• Meter: C.M.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1890
• Topic: The Christian Life: Trust; Epiphany, Fourth Sunday; Twenty First Sunday after Trinity
• Notes: Alternate tune: #42 or #325

Tune Information

• Name: ABRIDGE
• Meter: C.M.
• Key: E♭ Major
• Notes: Composer from index: Isaac Smith, 1770