GIVE ME NOT MY OWN DESIRE.
“And he gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul.” Ps. 106:15. GIVE me not my own desire!
Would I glittering hoards require?
Have I sighed for fame or power?
Seek I learning's mighty dower?
Is my inmost wish and thought
Into earth's thin tissue wrought?
Heavenly Father! make me see
All below is vanity. Hath my wish a humbler name?
Would I, all unknown to fame,
By no sordid passion moved—
Of a chosen few beloved—
On some lone and soothing tide,
Down life's stream serenely glide?
Father, on a staff of dust
Leave me not to place my trust. Haply thou wilt take away
All that cheers my early day,
And will bid me strive and toil
Bound with care's enfeebling coil.
O, then let me not repine!
May my will be lost in thine!
Still the earnest prayer inspire—
Give me not my own desire! Should I in some weary hour
Yield me to the tempter's power,
And, o'erwhelined by doubt and sin,
Seek no more thy smile to win—
Ask in earthly bliss a share—
Turn thou from my impious prayer;
Hear me not in vengeful ire,
Give me not my own desire! Ruler of the worlds on high!
In thy guardian hand am I;
Upon me thy light hath shone;
Thou my destiny hast known.
Trusting, joyful, would I still
All thy holy plans fulfill,
Nor to loftier bliss aspire;
Give me not my own desire! —Sel.