3246.
[Inspirer of the ancient seers]
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, &c.
—iii. 16, 17.
Inspirer of the ancient seers,
Who wrote from Thee the sacred page,
The same through all succeeding years,
To us, in our degenerate age,
The Spirit of Thy word impart,
And breathe the life into our heart.
The word if Thou vouchsafe to give,
We find its efficacious power,
The saving benefit receive,
And taught aright our God to' adore,
The living sentiment we feel,
Conform'd to all Thy righteous will.
While now Thine oracles we read,
With earnest prayer, and strong desire,
O let Thy Spirit from Thee proceed,
Our souls to waken and inspire,
Our weakness help, our darkness chase,
And guide us by the light of grace.
Whene'er in error's paths we rove,
The living God through sin forsake,
Our conscience by Thy word reprove,
Convince, and bring the wanderers back,
Deep-wounded by Thy Spirit's sword,
And then by Gilead's balm restored.
The secret lessons of Thy grace,
Transmitted through the word, repeat,
To train us up in all Thy ways,
To make us in Thy will complete,
Fulfil Thy love's redeeming plan,
And bring us to a perfect man.
Furnish'd out of Thy treasury,
O may we always ready stand,
To help the souls redeem'd by Thee,
In what their various states demand,
To teach, convince, correct, reprove,
And build them up in holiest love.
