The Lord will keep His own:
Yes, when the clouds increase,
And the last light has flown,
His care will never cease.
This I'm persuaded's true,
That not the darkest night,
That not the dreariest view,
Will check His oversight.
Rather His care will grow
For His who wander here
The more their path below
Grows dangerous and drear.
For God will never let
The greedy darkness win
What He doth estimate,
That hopes His mercy in.
And dangers terrible
Alike must strive in vain
Against His flock-think well,
He's God, His power is plain.
For me, I'll raise my head;
To Him my song I'll raise,
And fearless I will tread
The darkness of time's ways.
And this shall be my song:
I am a stranger here,
A weakling 'mid the strong,
Wand'ring in lands austere.
The night would me deceive,
The darkness swallow soon;
The strong my death-blow give,
They give no other boon.
But God is with me here,
His care is over me,
To him my safety's dear,
My guardian died for me.
I am of price to Him,
Though my own nature's vile;
Brighter than seraphim,
On me there rests His smile.
From Christ my worth I draw,
By His blood turned to gold;
I'm kept in safety for
The crown which He doth hold.
I shall be worn by Him,
Help grace His snowy brow -
O bliss! And I so dim,
So seeming worthless now.
Thou hollow world and dark!
I am no child of thine;
In tee I toil—but hark!
I have a home of mine.
And I shall soon be claimed
By Him who died for me,
Whose hand my home has framed
In God's eternity.