We have not known Thee as we ought,
Nor
learned Thy wisdom, grace
and
power;
The
things of earth have filled
our
thought,
And
trifles of the passing hour.
Lord,
give us light Thy truth to see,
And
make us wise in knowing Thee.
2
We
have not feared Thee as we ought,
Nor
bowed beneath Thine awful eye,
Nor
guarded deed and word
and
thought,
Remembering
that God was nigh.
Lord,
give us faith to know Thee near,
And
grant the grace of holy fear.
3
We
have not loved Thee as we ought,
Nor
cared that we are loved by Thee;
Thy
presence we have coldly sought,
And
feebly longed Thy face to see.
Lord,
give a pure and loving heart
To
feel and own the love Thou art.
4
We
have not served Thee as we ought,
Alas!
the duties left undone,
The
work with little fervor wrought,
The
battles lost or scarcely won!
Lord,
give the zeal, and give the might,
For
Thee to toil, for Thee to fight.
5
When
shall we know Thee as we ought,
And
fear and love and serve aright?
When
shall we, out of trial brought,
Be
perfect in the land of light?
Lord,
may we day by day prepare
To
see Thy face and serve Thee there.