The Book of Praise ‎#451

451. Dear Father, Lord of humankind

1 Dear Father, Lord of humankind,
forgive our foolish ways;
reclothe us in our rightful mind;
in purer lives thy service find,
in deeper reverence, praise.

2 In simple trust like theirs who heard,
beside the Syrian sea,
the gracious calling of the Lord,
let us, like them, without a word
rise up and follow thee.

3 O Sabbath rest by Galilee,
O calm of hills above,
where Jesus knelt to share with thee
the silence of eternity,
interpreted by love.

4 With that deep hush subduing all
our words and works that drown
the tender whisper of thy call,
as noiseless let thy blessing fall
as fell thy manna down.

5 Drop thy still dews of quietness,
till all our strivings cease;
take from our souls the strain and stress,
and let our ordered lives confess
the beauty of thy peace.

6 Breathe through the heats of our desire
thy coolness and thy balm;
let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
speak through the earthquake, wind and fire,
O still small voice of calm.

Text Information

• First Line: Dear Father, Lord of humankind
• Title: Dear Father, Lord of humankind
• Author: John Greenleaf Whittier, 1807-1892 (alt.)
• Meter: 8 6 8 8 6
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1997
• Scripture:
  1 Kings 19:9-12
  ;
  Psalm 46:10
  ;
  Matthew 4:20
  ;
  Mark 1:18
  ;
  Luke 6:12
• Topic: Discipleship; God: Images (Father); Jesus Christ: Call of; Lent; Prayer / Prayers / Poems; Repentance; Rest; Worship
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: Alternate tune: REPTON (last line of each verse must be repeated)

Tune Information

• Name: REST
• Composer: Frederick Charles Maker, 1844-1927
• Meter: 8 6 8 8 6
• Key: D Major
• Copyright: Public Domain