8. A trusty weapon is Thy Word, Thy Church’s buckler, shield, and sword; Lord, let us in this Word abide, That we may seek no other guide. 9. O grant that in Thy holy Word We here may live and die, dear Lord; And when our journey endeth here, Receive us into glory there. N. Selnecker, 1611 (3-9 anon.). 111 C. M. How precious is the Book Divine, By inspiration given! Bright as a lamp its doctrines shine To guide our souls to heaven. 2. Its light, descending from above, Illumes this world so drear, Displays a Savior’s boundless love, And brings His glories near. 3. It shows to man his wandering ways And where his feet have trod, And brings to view the matchless grace Of a forgiving God. 4. O’er all the straight and narrow way Its radiant beams are cast; A light whose never weary ray Grows brightest at the last. 5. It sweetly cheers our drooping hearts In this dark vale of tears; Life, light, and joy it still imparts And quells our rising fears. 6. This lamp, through all the tedious night Of life shall guide our way Till we behold the clearer light Of an eternal day. J. Fawcett, 1782, abr. 112 C. M. How shall the young secure their hearts And guard their lives from sin? Thy Word the choicest rules imparts To keep the conscience clean. 2. ’Tis like the sun, a heavenly light, That guides us all the day, And through the dangers of the night A lamp to lead our way. 3. The starry heavens Thy rule obey, The earth maintains her place; And these Thy servants, night and day, Thy skill and power express. 4. But still Thy Law and Gospel, Lord, Have lessons more divine; Not earth stands firmer than Thy Word, Nor stars so nobly shine. 5. Thy Word is everlasting truth; How pure is every page! That holy Book shall guide our youth And well support our age. Isaac Watts, 1719. 113 7s, 6s 8 l O Word of God Incarnate, O Wisdom from on high, O Truth unchanged, unchanging, O Light of our dark sky,— We praise Thee for the radiance That from the hallowed page, A lantern to our footsteps, Shines on from age to age. 2. The Church from her dear Master Received the gift divine, And still that light she lifteth O’er all the earth to shine. It is the golden casket, Where gems of truth are stored; It is the heaven-drawn picture Of Christ, the living Word.