Lyrics
Verse 1
Father, whate'er of earthly bliss
Thy sovereign will denies,
Accepted at thy throne of grace
Let this petition rise:
Verse 2
"Give me a calm, a thankful heart,
From every murmur free;
The blessings of thy grace impart,
And make me live to thee.
Verse 3
"Let the sweet hope that thou art mine
My life and death attend:
Thy presence through my journey shine,
And crown my journey's end."
Meaning & Inspiration
This hymn by Anne Steele is a prayer for contentment, though this site lists it under Charles Wesley. It begins by accepting that God's "sovereign will" may deny some earthly pleasures, then asks that the petition be received "at thy throne of grace."
The central request in the second stanza is "a calm, a thankful heart, from every murmur free." Grumbling is set aside in favour of gratitude, and the singer asks to live for God. The last stanza turns to hope, praying that the assurance "thou art mine" would stay through life and death, with God's presence lighting the path to its end.
The hymn echoes Paul's statement in Philippians 4 that he had learned to be content in every circumstance, and the Hebrew Scriptures' picture of God's word as a light on the path in Psalm 119. It suits quiet personal worship or a gathering focused on trust and thanksgiving.
Related Scripture
- Philippians 4:11-12 Paul has learned to be content in every circumstance, the theme of the second stanza.
- Psalm 119:105 God's word is a lamp for the path, matching the prayer for His presence along the way.