273.  The Lord, A Sun And Shield

1
Sun of my soul, my Father dear,
I know no night when thou art near.
O! may no earth-born cloud arise
To hide thee from thy servant’s eyes.

2
Shield of my soul, tho’ tempests rage,
And ‘gainst me hosts of foes engage,
My refuge and my fortress thou,
Before thee ev’ry foe must bow.

3
Thy grace and glory thou dost give
To those who near thee ever live;
And no good thing dost thou withhold
From sheep which stray not from thy fold.

4
Thy choicest treasure, e’en thy Son,
Thy well beloved and only one,
Freely thou gavest once for me,
From sin and death to set me free.

5
Yea, thou who sparedst not thy Son,
Whose sacrifice our ransom won,
Shalt, with him, all things freely give;
He lives, a pledge that we shall live.