8. Help me speak what’s right and just, And keep silence on occasion; Help me pray, Lord, as I must; Help me bear my tribulation; Help me die and let my spirit Everlasting life inherit. C. Neumann, 1680; A. Crull, tr. 344 6, 7, 6, 7, 6, 6, 6, 6 How can I thank Thee, Lord, For all Thy loving-kindness? Thou hast so long a time Had patience with my blindness When dead in many sins And trespasses I lay, And kindled, holy God, Thine anger every day. 2. Lord, Thou hast shown to me Divine commiseration: I persevered in sin, But Thou in great compassion; I did resist Thee, Lord, Deferring to repent; Thou didst defer Thy wrath And instant punishment. 3. It is Thy work alone That now I am converted, Thy power o’er Satan’s work In me Thou hast asserted; Thy mercy, that doth reach Unto the clouds, O Lord, Did break my stony heart By Thine almighty Word. 4. Though able to offend Thee, Lord, by sin and failing, Still to regain Thy grace My strength was unavailing. Though I could fall from grace And choose the way of sin, I had no strength to rise, A new life to begin. 5. But Thou hast raised me up And with divine compassion Hast shown me, Lord, the way That leadeth to salvation. I thank Thee, Lord, that now My former sins I hate And freely—not from fear— Dead works abominate. 6. That I may not backslide, But life in heaven inherit, Grant me, while here I live, O Lord, Thy Holy Spirit That He may give me strength In mine infirmity And e’er renew my heart To serve Thee willingly. 7. O guide and lead me, Lord, While here below I wander; Grant that I follow Thee, My Guide and my Commander. For if I lead myself, I soon am led astray; But if Thou leadest me, I do my duty aye. 8. O Father, God of Love, Hear now my supplication! Lord Jesus, Son of God, O grant me Thy salvation! And Thou, O Holy Ghost, Always abide with me That I may serve Thee here And there eternally! G. Gesenius, c. 1647; A. Crull, tr. CONSECRATION. 345 9, 8, 9, 8, 8, 8 Soul, what return has God, thy Savior, For all He gives thee day by day? O hast thou in thy gift a favor That can delight and please Him?—say! The best of offerings He requires; Give Him thy heart with its desires.