18
Preserve me, O my God! from ev'ry vice;
O "keep me as the apple of thine eye!"
Let not temptation urge, or sin entice,
To forfeit claim to blest eternity.
O "keep me as the apple of thine eye!"
Let not temptation urge, or sin entice,
To forfeit claim to blest eternity.
Although bereaved of my dearest joy,
Let me not murmur, let me not repine,
For there is still a bliss without alloy,
And if I strive, that bliss may still be mine.
Let me not murmur, let me not repine,
For there is still a bliss without alloy,
And if I strive, that bliss may still be mine.
Shall I, a mortal—sinful, weak, and frail,
Shall I presume to scan thy ways so just,—
I, the mere helpless creature of thy will,
Who must again return to native dust?
Shall I presume to scan thy ways so just,—
I, the mere helpless creature of thy will,
Who must again return to native dust?
Forbid it, Heaven! whatever ills may come;
For, what can harm with thy protection blest?
Submissive will I bow, "thy will be done:"
Thou art my Father, and on thee I'll rest.
For, what can harm with thy protection blest?
Submissive will I bow, "thy will be done:"
Thou art my Father, and on thee I'll rest.
