O Lord, how happy should we be

O Lord! how happy should we be,
if we could leave our cares to thee,
if we from self could rest;
and feel at heart that One above,
in perfect wisdom, perfect love,
is working for the best.

How far from this our daily life,
how oft disturbed by anxious strife,
by sudden wild alarms;
O could we but relinquish all
our earthly props and simply fall
on thy almighty arms.

Could we but kneel and cast our load,
e'en while we pray, upon our God,
then rise with lightened cheer;
sure that our Father, who is nigh,
to still the finished raven's cry,
will hear in that we fear.

We cannot trust him as we should;
so chafes weak nature's restless mood
to cast its peace away;
but birds and flowerets round us preach,
all, all the present evil teach
sufficient for the day.

Lord, make these anxious hearts of ours
such lessons learn from birds and flowers,
make them from self to cease;
leave all things to our Father's will,
and taste, before him lying still,
e'en in affliction, peace.

Words: Joseph Anstice, 1836

Music: Magdalen College, Jehovah Nissi, Bridehead

Meter: 886 D

Website compiled by Steve Benner, 1999-2003.