Page:Olney Hymns - 1840.djvu/235

BOOK II. 8 Dear Lord, assist our souls to pay The debt of praise we owe, That we enjoy a gospel-day And heaven begun below.

1 ONCE, while we aim d at Zion s songs, A sudden mourning check d our tongues ! Then we were called to sow in tears The seeds of joy for future years.

2 Oft as that memorable hour The changing year brings round again, We meet to praise the love and power Which heard our cries and eased our pain.

3 Come, ye who trembled for the ark, Unite in praise for answer d prayer ; Did not the Lord our sorrows mark? Did not our sighing reach his ear ?

4 Then smaller griefs were laid aside, And all our cares summ d up in one ; &quot; Let us but have thy word,&quot; we cried, &quot; In other things thy will be done.&quot;

5 Since he has granted our request, And we still hear the gospel voice ; Although by many trials press d, In this we can and will rejoice.

6 Though to our lot temptations fall, Though pain and want and cares annoy ; The precious gospel sweetens all, And yields us med cine, food, and joy.