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Hymns and Sacred Lyrics

In Three Parts. By Joseph Cottle
  

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401. PART 7. “Lead us not into temptation.”

1

Evil men, and evil spirits,
Bent upon our harm, surround,
Yet, whatever be their malice,
They, by fetters, fast are bound:
Unseen angels
Our perpetual guard are found!

2

May we know our only refuge,
When temptations, Lord! arise;
We are feeble, but, to cheer us,
In thy strength, our safety lies:
Fix our vision—
Steadfastly on yonder skies!

3

Trials tend, by thine appointment,
To correct our thoughtless heart:
When temptation (like a torrent)
Overwhelms, thy grace impart!
Foes are harmless,
If the Lord be on our part.

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4

Make us, of ourselves, distrustful,
From the failures that are past;
On our God, with calm reliance,
May we all our burdens cast:
If we faint not,
Long the tempest will not last.

5

Though we wander now in darkness,
Brighter suns and skies await;
When a few more clouds have gather'd,
We shall reach a happier state:
Saints invite us,
From heaven's everlasting gate.