Now to thy heavenly father's praise

Representative Text

Now to thy heavenly Father's praise,
My heart thy tribute bring:
That goodness which prolongs my days
With grateful pleasure sing.

Ye humble souls, who love the Lord,
Come join the pleasing theme;
His mercy, power, and truth record
And bless his glorious name.

Whene'er he sends afflicting pains,
His mercy holds the rod;
His powerful word the heart sustains,
And speaks a faithful God.

A faithful God is ever nigh
When humble grief implores;
His ear attends each plaintive sigh,
He pities and restores.

No more let diffidence prevail
Our comforts to destroy:
His tender mercies never fail,
Be these our sweet employ.

Ah! how unequal to the theme
Our feeble efforts prove!
Ye heavens resound his glorious name,
While we adore and love.

Yet fain my grateful soul would bring
Her tribute to thy throne;
Accept the wish, my God, my King,
To make thy goodness known!

O be the life thy hand restores
Devoted to thy praise!
To thee, be sacred all my powers,
To thee, my future days!

Thy soul-enlivening grace impart,
A warmer love inspire;
And teach the breathings of my heart
Dependence and desire.

Source: Miscellaneous Pieces in Verse and Prose #75

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Author: Anne Steele

Anne Steele was the daughter of Particular Baptist preacher and timber merchant William Steele. She spent her entire life in Broughton, Hampshire, near the southern coast of England, and devoted much of her time to writing. Some accounts of her life portray her as a lonely, melancholy invalid, but a revival of research in the last decade indicates that she had been more active and social than what was previously thought. She was theologically conversant with Dissenting ministers and "found herself at the centre of a literary circle that included family members from various generations, as well as local literati." She chose a life of singleness to focus on her craft. Before Christmas in 1742, she declined a marriage proposal from contemporar… Go to person page >

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