Songs in the House of Pilgrimage :: :: University of Virginia Library

Songs in the House of Pilgrimage

By the Rev. E. H. Bickersteth

Bickersteth, Edward Henry (1825-1906)

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2. Litany to the Eternal Father.

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2. Litany to the Eternal Father.

“Ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” —Rom. viii. 15.

1

Uncreated Fount of light,
Glory without shade of night,
Everlasting, infinite,
Holy Father, hear us.

2

Well of life that ever flows,
Life more pure than stainless snows,
Life in calm serene repose,
Holy Father, hear us.

3

Blessed One, whose name is love,
Pleads with Thee Thy Son above;
Broods o'er us Thy hovering Dove;
Holy Father, hear us.

4

Round about Thy sapphire throne,
Shines the rainbow's emerald zone,
Breathing heavenly peace alone:
Holy Father, hear us.

5

There before Thy mercy seat
Saints in light and angels meet;
Yet behold us at Thy feet:
Holy Father, hear us.

6

Thou, whose deep compassions yearn
For the prodigal's return,
And his far-off steps discern,
Holy Father, hear us.

7

Aching hearts that long for rest,
Wilder'd souls by doubt oppress'd,
Babes that crave a parent's breast,—
Holy Father, hear us.

8

All have some great gift to seek,
Hungred, thirsty, weary, weak;
All have wants no words can speak,
Holy Father, hear us.

9

Is not Thy paternal board
With all royal bounties stored,
Priceless, countless, unexplored?
Holy Father, hear us.

10

Thou who sparedst not Thy Son,
Him Thine own, Thine only One,
Till Thy work by Him was done,
Holy Father, hear us.

11

Thou in all His sorrows nigh,
Thou, who heardest His last cry,
Thou, who sufferedst Him to die,
Holy Father, hear us.

12

Thou, omnipotent to save
From destruction's whelming wave,
Death and hell and vanquish'd grave,
Holy Father, hear us.

13

Thou, at whose right hand once more,
He is now, His conflict o'er,
Throned where He was throned before,
Holy Father, hear us.

14

Thou, who crownest Him with grace,
Foldest Him to Thine embrace,
Him the brightness of Thy face,
Holy Father, hear us.

15

All the richest gifts of heaven,
Sevenfold from the Spirits Seven,
Measureless to Him are given:
Holy Father, hear us.

16

At His word Thy Spirit came
Crowns of light and tongues of flame:
Oh for our Redeemer's name,
Holy Father, hear us.

17

Grant us in this holy hour
From His Bride's exhaustless dower
Light and life and peace and power:
Holy Father, hear us.

18

Hear our cry, our voiceless needs:
Hear, in us Thy Spirit pleads:
Hear, for Jesus intercedes:
Holy Father, hear us.

Amen.