Vainly Through the Night

Representative Text

1 Vainly through the night the ranger
keeps his watch, lest foes alarm;
Still the city lies in danger,
but for God's protecting arm.
Vain were all our toil and labor,
did not God that labor bless;
Vain, without His grace and favor,
ev'ry talent we possess.

2 Vainer still the hope of heaven
that on human strength relies;
but to him shall help be given,
who in humble faith applies.
Seek we then the LORD's Anointed;
He shall grant us peace and rest:
Ne'er was suppliant disappointed,
who through Christ his prayer address'd.

Source: Psalms of Grace #127b

Author: Harriet Auber

Auber, Harriet, daughter of Mr. James Auber, b. in London, Oct. 4, 1773. During the greater part of her quiet and secluded life she resided at Broxbourne and Hoddesdon, Herts, and died at the latter place on the 20th Jan., 1862. Miss Auber wrote devotional and other poetry, but only a portion of the former was published in her Spirit of the Psalms, in 1829. This collection is mainly her work, and from it some useful versions of the Psalms have been taken and included in modern hymn-books, about 20 appearing in Spurgeon's Our Own Hymn Book, 1866. Miss Auber's name is widely known, but it is principally through her exquisite lyric, "Our blest Redeemer, ere He breathed," and the Epiphany hymn, "Bright was the guiding star that led." (For criti… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Vainly through night's weary hours
Title: Vainly Through the Night
Author: Harriet Auber
Meter: 8.7.8.7 D
Source: Spirit of the Psalms
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 2 of 2)
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Psalms of Grace #127b

Spurgeon's Own Hymn Book #127

Include 76 pre-1979 instances
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