Author: James Montgomery Meter: 8.8.8.8.8.8 Appears in 27 hymnals First Line: Thus far on life’s bewildering path Lyrics: 1 Thus far on life’s bewildering path,
Thus far, Thou, Lord, our steps hast led;
Snatched from the world’s pursuing wrath,
Unharmed, though floods hung o’er our head;
Like ransomed Israel on the shore,
Here, then, we pause, look back, adore.
2 Strangers and pilgrims here below,
Like all our fathers in their day,
We to the land of promise go,
Lord, by Thine own appointed way:
Still guide, illumine, cheer our flight,
In cloud by day, in fire by night.
3 Safety Thy presence is, and rest;
While—as the eagle, o’er her brood
Flutters her pinions, stirs the nest,
Covers, defends, provides them food,
Bears on her wings, instructs to fly—
Thy love prepares us for the sky.
4 Protect us through the wilderness
From fiery tempest, plague, and foe;
With bread from Heav’n Thy people bless,
And living streams where’er we go:
Nor let our rebel hearts repine,
Or follow any voice but Thine.
5 Thy holy law to us proclaim,
But not from Sinai’s top alone;
Hid in the rock cleft, be Thy name,
Thy power and all Thy goodness shown;
And may we never bow the knee,
Or worship any God but Thee.
6 When we have numbered all our years,
And stand, at length, on Jordan’s brink,
Though the flesh fail with mortal fears,
O let not then the spirit sink;
But, strong in faith, and hope, and love,
Plunge through the stream to rise above. Used With Tune: BRECKNOCK Text Sources: First printed on a broadsheet for use at the Anniversary Sermons, on behalf of the Red Hill Sunday School, Sheffield, England, March 28, 1819. "The Christian Israel"
Thus Far On Life's Bewildering Path