Hymn16
By Oliver Wendell Holmes
O Thou of soul and sense and breath,
The ever-present Giver,
Unto Thy mighty angel, death,
All flesh thou didst deliver;
What most we cherish, we resign,
For life and death alike are Thine,
Who reignest Lord forever!
Our hearts lie buried in the dust
With him, so true and tender,
The patriot’s stay, the people’s trust,
The shield of the offender;
Yet every murmuring voice is still,
As, bowing to Thy sovereign will,
Our best loved we surrender.
Dear Lord, with pitying eye behold
This martyr generation,
Which Thou, through trials manifold,
Art showing Thy salvation!
O let the blood by murder split
Wash out Thy stricken children’s guilt,
And sanctify our nation!
Be Thou Thy orphaned Israel’s friend,
Forsake Thy people never,
In One our broken Many blend,
That none again may sever!
Hear us, O Father, while we raise
With trembling lips our song of praise,
And bless Thy name forever!
Notes
16 By permission of Houghton, Mifflin & Company.