29*. Lead, Light Divine, Amid Th' Encircling Gloom

10,4,10,4,10,10.
by J.H. Newman
1
Lead, light divine, amid th’ encircling gloom — 
 
Lead Thou me on;
 
The night is dark and I am far from home,
 
Lead Thou me on.
 
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
 
The distant path; one step’s enough for me.
“Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.” (Psalm 5:8)
“Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.” (Isaiah 48:17)
“He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.” (1 Samuel 2:9)
2
I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou
 
Shouldst lead me on;
 
I loved to choose and seek my path; but now,
 
Lead Thou me on.
 
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears
 
Pride ruled my will: remember not past years.
3
Thus far Thy power hath blessed me, and it still
 
Will lead me on,
 
O’er moor and fen, through tangled brakes, on till
 
The night is gone;
 
And with the morn the everlasting joy,
 
Which led me on, is mine without alloy.
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