The Christian Hymnary. Bks. 1-4 ‎#252

252. Shall I for Fear of Feeble Man

1 Shall I for fear of feeble man,
The Spirit's course in me restrain?
Or undismayed in deed and word,
Be a true witness of my Lord?
Awed by a mortal's frown, shall I
Conceal the Word of God most high?
How then before Thee shall I dare
To stand, or how thine anger bear?

2 Shall I, to soothe the unholy throng,
Soften Thy truth, or smooth my tongue,
To gain earth's gilded toys, or flee
The cross, endured my Lord, by Thee?
What then, is he whose scorn I dread,
Whose wrath or hate makes me afraid?
A man! an heir of death! a slave
To sin! a bubble on the wave!

3 Yea, let men rage; since Thou wilt spread
Thy shadowing wings around my head;
And in all pain Thy tender love
Will still my sure refreshment prove.
Saviour of men, Thy searching eye
Does all my inmost thoughts descry;
Doth aught on earth my wishes raise,
Or the world's pleasures or its praise.

4 The love of Christ doth me constrain
To seek the perishing souls of men;
With cries, entreaties, tears to save—
To snatch them from a Christ-less grave.
For this let men revile my name;
No cross I shun, I fear no shame;
All hail, reproach; and welcome, pain;
Only Thy terrors, Lord, restrain.

5 My life, my blood, I here present,
If for Thy truth they may be spent,
Fulfil Thy sovereign counsel, Lord;
Thy will be done, Thy name adored.
Give me Thy strength, O God of power;
Then let winds blow, or thunders roar,
Thy faithful witness will I be;
'Tis fixed, I can do all through Thee.

Text Information

• First Line: Shall I for fear of feeble man
• Title: Shall I for Fear of Feeble Man
• German Title: Sollt ich aus Furcht vor Menschenkindern
• Author: Johann Joseph Winckler, 1670-1722
• Translator: John Wesley, 1703-1791 (1739)
• Meter: L.M. 8.8.8.8.D.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1972
• Scripture:
  Acts 1:8
• Topic: Book One: Hymns, Songs, Chorales; Christian Life: Witnessing, Speaking of Jesus
• Notes: Ye shall be witnesses unto Me. Acts 1:8.

Tune Information

• Name: SWEET HOUR
• Composer: William Batchelder Bradbury (1816-1868) (1861)
• Meter: L.M. 8.8.8.8.D.
• Key: D Major
• Notes: M.M. 108