O Thou, Before Whose Presence

Verse 1

O Thou, before whose presence
Naught evil may come in,
Yet who dost look in mercy
Down on this world of sin,
O give us noble purpose
To set the sin-bound free,
And Christlike tender pity
To seek the lost for Thee.

Verse 2

Fierce is our subtle foeman:
The forces at his hand
With woes that none can number
Despoil the pleasant land;
All they who war against them,
In strife so keen and long,
Must in their Saviour’s armor
Be stronger than the strong.

Verse 3

So hast Thou wrought among us
The great things that we see!
For things that are we thank Thee,
And for the things to be:
For bright hope is uplifting
Faint hands and feeble knees,
To strive beneath Thy blessing
For greater things than these.

Verse 4

Lead on, O Love and Mercy,
O Purity and Power;
Lead on till peace eternal
Shall close this battle-hour:
Till all who prayed and struggled
To set their brethren free,
In triumph meet to praise Thee,
Most Holy Trinity.