I Know Not What the Future Hath

Representative Text

1 I know not what the future hath
Of marvel or surprise,
Assured alone that life and death
God's mercy underlies.

2 And if my heart and flesh are weak
To bear an untried pain,
The bruised reed He will not break
But strengthen and sustain.

3 And Thou, O Lord, by whom are seen
Thy creatures as they be,
Forgive me if too close I learn
My human heart on Thee.

4 And so beside the silent sea
I wait the muffled oar:
No harm from Him can come to me
On ocean or on shore.

5 I know not where His island lift
Their fronded palms in air;
I only know I cannot drift
Beyond His love and care.

Amen.

Source: Worship and Service Hymnal: For Church, School, and Home #371

Author: John Greenleaf Whittier

Whittier, John Greenleaf, the American Quaker poet, was born at Haverhill, Massachusetts, Dec. 17, 1807. He began life as a farm-boy and shoemaker, and subsequently became a successful journalist, editor and poet. In 1828 he became editor of the American Manufacturer (Boston), in 1830 of the New England Review, and an 1836 (on becoming Secretary to the American Anti-Slavery Society) of the Pennsylvania Freeman. He was also for some time, beginning with 1847, the corresponding editor of the National Era. In 1840 he removed to Amesbury, Massachusetts, where most of his later works have been written. At the present time [1890] he lives alternately at Amesbury and Boston. His first poetical piece was printed in the Newburyport Free Press in 182… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: I know not what the future hath
Title: I Know Not What the Future Hath
Author: John Greenleaf Whittier
Meter: 8.6.8.6
Place of Origin: United States
Language: English
Notes: Spanish translation: See "Lo que me trae el porvenir" by Barbara Mink
Copyright: Public Domain

Tune

GREEN HILL (Peace)


COOLING (Abbey)


BROTHER JAMES' AIR

BROTHER JAMES' AIR was composed by James Leith Macbeth Bain (b. Scotland, c. 1840; d. Liverpool, England, 1925), the healer, mystic, and poet known simply as Brother James. The tune was first published in his volume The great peace: being a New Year's greeting ... (1915). Born in a devout Christian…

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Timeline

Media

The Cyber Hymnal #2861
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Instances

Instances (1 - 41 of 41)
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Baptist Hymnal (1975 ed) #492

Beautiful Songs of Heaven #d32

Christian Hymnal #d197

Christian Worship #571

Community of Christ Sings #246

Tune InfoPage Scan

Hymnal and Liturgies of the Moravian Church #539

Page Scan

Hymnal and Liturgies of the Moravian Church #707

Hymnal of the Church of God #441

Hymns of Faith and Life #468

Page Scan

Hymns of the Church Universal #500

Hymns of the Saints #126

TextPage Scan

Methodist Hymn and Tune Book #481

TextPage Scan

Service Book and Hymnal of the Lutheran Church in America #593a

TextPage Scan

Service Book and Hymnal of the Lutheran Church in America #593b

Songs of praise #530

Page Scan

Special Songs #82

The Book of Hymns #d202

The Book of Praise #520

The Canadian Youth Hymnal #97

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The Century Hymnal #400

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The Chapel Hymnal #157

The Churches of God Hymnal. #d210

TextScoreAudio

The Cyber Hymnal #2861

The Eureka Star #d26

The Hymnal #d184

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The Hymnal of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America 1940 #441

The Hymnary for use in Baptist churches #427

The Hymnary of the United Church of Canada #427

The Methodist Hymnal #d202

The Methodist Hymnal #517

The Methodist Protestant Church Hymnal #d193

The New Church Hymnal #d173

The New Hymnal for American Youth #332

The New Hymnal for American Youth #332

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The Primitive Methodist Church Hymnal #359

Page Scan

The Service Hymnal with an introductory service #121

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The Students' Hymnal #212

Unitarian Service Book, and Hymns for Church and Home. Abridged ed. #d163

TextPage Scan

Worship and Service Hymnal #371

Text

Worship in Song #238

Exclude 36 pre-1979 instances
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