O thou, the primal fount of life and peace

O thou, the primal fount of life and peace

Author: John Sterling
Tune: PAX DEI (Dykes)
Published in 6 hymnals

Representative Text

O Thou, the primal fount of life and peace,
Who shedd’st Thy breathing quiet all around,
In me command that pain and conflict cease,
And tune to music every jarring sound.

Make Thou in me, O God, through shame and pain,
A heart attuned to Thy celestial calm;
Let not the spirit’s pangs be roused in vain,
But heal the wounded breast with soothing balm!

So, firm in steadfast hope, in thought secure,
In full accord with all Thy works of joy,
May I be nerved to labors high and pure,
And Thou Thy child to do Thy work employ.

In One who walked on earth, a man of woe,
Was holier peace than even this hour inspires;
From him to me let inward quiet flow,
And give the might my failing will requires.

So this great universe,—so he, and Thou,
The central source and wondrous bound of things,
May fill my heart with rest as deep as now
To land and sea and air Thy presence brings.



Source: A Book of Hymns for Public and Private Devotion (15th ed.) #477

Author: John Sterling

Sterling was born at Kames Castle, Bute, July 20, 1806, and died at Ventnor, Isle of Wight, Sep. 18, 1844. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: O thou, the primal fount of life and peace
Author: John Sterling
Copyright: Public Domain

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Instances

Instances (1 - 6 of 6)
Text

A Book of Hymns for Public and Private Devotion (15th ed.) #477

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A Book of Hymns for Public and Private Devotion. (10th ed.) #477

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Hymns of the Church Universal #352

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Hymns of the Spirit #166

Unitarian Service Book, and Hymns for Church and Home. Abridged ed. #d328

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Isles of Shoals Hymn Book and Candle Light Service #151

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