Alexander's Hymns No. 3 ‎#143

143. Once It Was the Blessing

1 Once it was the blessing,
Now it is the Lord;
Once it was the feeling,
Now it is His Word.
Once His gift I wanted,
Now the Giver own;
Once I sought for healing,
Now Himself alone.

2 Once ’twas painful trying,
Now ’tis perfect trust;
Once a half salvation,
Now the uttermost.
Once ’twas ceaseless holding,
Now He holds me fast;
Once ’twas constant drifting,
Now my anchor’s cast.

3 Once ’twas busy planning,
Now ’tis trustful pray’r;
Once ’twas anxious caring,
Now He has the care.
Once ’twas what I wanted,
Now what Jesus says;
Once ’twas constant asking,
Now ’tis ceaseless praise.

4 Once it was my working,
His it hence shall be;
Once I tried to use Him,
Now He uses me.
Once the pow’r I wanted,
Now the Mighty One;
Once for self I labored,
Now for Him alone.

5 Once I hoped in Jesus,
Now I know He’s mine;
Once my lamps were dying,
Now they brightly shine.
Once for death I waited,
Now His coming hail;
And my hopes are anchored,
Safe within the veil.

Text Information

• First Line: Once it was the blessing
• Title: Once It Was the Blessing
• Author: A. A. F.
• Author: A. B. Simpson
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1915
• Copyright: Copyright, 1914, by Charles M. Alexander. International Copyright Secured.

Tune Information

• Name: [Once it was the blessing]
• Composer: D. B. Towner