Harry Emerson Fosdick
(1878-1969)
God of grace and God of glory,
On Thy people pour Thy power!
Crown Thine ancient Church’s story—
Bring its bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
For the facing of this hour,
For the facing of this hour.
Lo! The hosts of evil round us
Scorn Thy Christ, assail Thy ways!
From the fears that long have bound us,
Free our hearts to love and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
For the living of these days,
For the living of these days.
Cure thy children’s warring madness,
Bend our pride to Thy control;
Shame our wanton, selfish gladness,
Rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
Lest we miss Thy Kingdom's goal,
Lest we miss Thy Kingdom's goal.
Set our feet on lofty places;
Gird our lives that they may be
Armored with all Christlike graces,
Pledged to set all captives free.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
That we fail not them nor Thee,
That we fail not them nor thee!
Thank you for posting this hymn! I dug the tune out of dusty memories, and sang it out to the Lord. What an invigorating way to start an otherwise dreary morning! The Spirit shed gladness and Kingdom purpose into my heart, and direction for today. Let me “fail not them nor Thee!”
Thanks, Eva! That’s why these “powerful poems” are here — to bless and inspire, to strengthen and encourage.