“In the Time of Trouble He Shall Hide Me.” Ps. 27: 5
Lay not, my soul, thy grief too much to heart;
When God doth empty thee, he doth impart
Himself, in place of earthly joys removed;
When he thy love and trust in him hath proved,
Lie still, my soul, nor dare to think him hard,
Lest thou, by murmuring, his work retard. Think'st thou thy God can ever make mistake?
Or cause thee needless sorrow to partake?
Is this thy Father's love which once did give
His Son to die, that thou in him might'st live?
In this, and all his dealings of to-day,
He only seeks to burn thy dross away. Return, my soul, “return unto thy rest,”
And trust thy God to order what is best;
To his kind arms thy welcome is most sure,
His heart of love hath solace firm and pure;
Therein, e'en now, thy faith can surely read
In “paths of righteousness” thy God doth lead. And when thou knowest as thou here art known,
In deep humility thou then shalt own
That what in time was grievous unto thee
Exceeding gain hath wrought eternally.
Then rest thee in thy Father's choice to-day,
To guide thy steps in his appointed way.