IF THOU BUT SUFFER GOD TO GUIDE THEE

[1]
If thou but suffer God to guide thee,
and hope in him through all thy ways,
he'll give thee strength, whate'er betide thee,
and hear thee through the evil days;
who trusts in God's unchanging love
builds on the rock that nought can move.

[2]
What can these anxious cares avail thee,
these never-ceasing moans and sighs?
What can it help if thou bewail thee
o'er each dark moment as it flies?
Our cross and trials do but press
the heavier for our bitterness,

[3]
Only be still, and wait his leisure
in cheerful hope, with heart content
to take whate'er thy Father's pleasure,
his all-discerning love, hath sent;
nor doubt our inmost wants are known
to him who chose us for his own.

[4]
Sing, pray, and keep his ways unswerving;
so do thine own part faithfully,
and trust his word, though undeserving,
thou yet shalt find it true for thee:
God never yet forsook at need
the soul that trusted him indeed.