Old Hymns

I have been looking up and listening to old hymns this past month and these two have become new favourites. I listen to them sometimes on repeat. The first one is written by Henry Francis Lyte and I guess I wasn't too surprised when I looked up his biography to find that he too struggled deeply with health afflictions. These words have been a comfort to me as I continue through treatment that is often making me feel so terrible, leaving me very tired and weary. Due to the cognitive effects of Lyme disease, I have been struggling with bible reading and devotions and I struggle with the lyrics written in many old hymns as well but for some reason when put to music I have an easier time. Thankful for that, and for the comfort I receive through music and these old hymns written many years ago.

Abide With Me

Henry Francis Lyte 1847

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;

The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.

When other helpers fail and comforts flee,

Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;

Earth's joys grow dim; its glories pass away;

Change and decay in all around I see;

O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word,

But as Thou dwell'st with Thy disciples, Lord,

Familiar, condescending, patient, free.

Come not to sojourn, but abide with me.

Thou on my head in early youth didst smile,

And though rebellious and perverse meanwhile,

Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee.

On to the close, O Lord, abide with me.

I need Thy presence every passing hour.

What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power?

Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?

Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;

Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.

Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?

I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;

Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.

Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;

In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me

This next one is especially not easy for me to listen to, but that's because I am in the thick of it and have been for a couple of years... Yet I keep going back to it as it gives me comfort...

I Asked The Lord That I Might Grow

John Newton 1779 

 I asked the Lord that I might grow

 In faith and love and every grace,

 Might more of his salvation know,

 And seek more earnestly his face.

‘Twas he who taught me thus to pray;

 And he, I trust, has answered prayer;

 But it has been in such a way

 As almost drove me to despair.

I hoped that, in some favoured hour,

 At once he’d answer my request,

 And by his love’s constraining power

 Subdue my sins, and give me rest.

Instead of this, he made me feel

 The hidden evils of my heart,

 And let the angry powers of hell

 Assault my soul in every part.

Yea, more, with his own hand he seemed

 Intent to aggravate my woe,

 Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,

 Cast out my feelings, laid me low.

"Lord, why is this?" I trembling cried;

 "Wilt thou pursue thy worm to death?"

 "This is the way", the Lord replied

"I answer prayer for grace and faith.

These inward trials I now employ

 From self and pride to set thee free,

 And break thy schemes of earthly joy,

 That thou may’st seek thy all in me."