My gracious Lord, I own Thy right
To every service I can pay,
And call it my supreme delight
To hear Thy dictates, and obey.
What is my being but for Thee—
Its sure support, its noblest end?
Thy ever-smiling face to see,
And serve the cause of such a Friend.
I would not breathe for worldly joy,
Or to increase my worldly good;
Nor future days or powers employ
To spread a sounding name abroad.
‘Tis to Thee, Saviour, I would live,
To Thee who for my ransom died;
Nor could untainted Eden give
Such bliss as blossoms at Thy side.
Philip Doddridge. 1701-1751
ML-09/04/1977