The Seventh-Day Adventist Hymn and Tune Book ‎#843

843. Gracious Father, guard thy children

1 Gracious Father, guard thy children
From the foe's destructive power;
Save, O save them, Lord from falling
In this dark and trying hour.
Thou wilt surely prove thy people,
All our graces must be tried;
But thy word illumes our pathway,
And in God we still confide.

2 We are in the time of waiting;
Soon we shall behold our Lord,
Wafted far away from sorrow,
To receive our rich reward.
Keep us, Lord, till thine appearing,
Pure, unspotted from the world;
Let thy Holy Spirit cheer us
Till thy banner is unfurled.

3 With what joyful exultation
Shall the saints thy banner see,
When the Lord for whom we've waited
Shall proclaim the Jubilee!
Freedom from this world's pollutions;
Freedom from all sin and pain;
Freedom from the wiles of Satan,
And from death's destructive reign.

Text Information

• First Line: Gracious Father, guard thy children
• Author: Anon.
• Publication Date: 1886
• Topic: Waiting for Christ: Closing Work

Tune Information

• Name: DAWNING
• Composer: William B. Bradbury
• Meter: 8s & 7s, D
• Key: G Major or modal
• Notes: Alternate tunes: #844, 501, or 412.