Amidst a world of hopes and fears

1 Amidst a world of hopes and fears,
A world of cares, and toils, and tears,
Where foes alarm, and dangers threat,
And pleasures kill, and glories cheat:

2 Send down, O Lord! a heavenly ray,
To guide me in the doubtful way;
And o'er me hold Thy Shield of power,
To guard me in the dangerous hour.

3 Teach me the flattering paths to shun,
In which the thoughtless many run,
Who for a shade the substance miss,
And grasp their ruin in their bliss.

4 May never pleasure, wealth, or pride,
Allure my wandering soul aside;
But through this maze of mortal ill,
Safe lead me to Thy heavenly hill.

5 There glories shine, and pleasures roll,
That charm, delight, transport the soul;
And every panting wish shall be
Possest of boundless bliss in Thee.

Source: Church Book: for the use of Evangelical Lutheran congregations #416