That They Might Lovely Be

How sweet the kindness of Your tender care!

The bruiséd reed You do not break,

but more its injured stem You stake

and gently its vitality repair.

How sweet the pity of Your loving grace!

The smoking flax You do not douse

but more its fainting spark arouse,

and faithfully its fervor You rebrace.*

In soft and quiet mercies, drawing near,

You make Your presence known to me:

a promise kept, a surety,

an unexpected answer to a prayer.

The touchstones of Your love abound to me:

a perfumed lily's beaded dews,

a summer sunset's gilded hues,

a breeze's warmth, Creation's quiddity.

How shall I pen the wonders of Your heart?

My words the meaning scarcely hold

for they are more than can be told:

a joy unspeakable, a world apart!

---

trying to sound out

the wonder of the heart of God,

with help from Isaiah, David, Peter & Jack

(Isa 42:3, Ps 40:5 & 1 Pet 1:8)

titled from "My Song Is Love Unknown"

*to steady or strengthen