Refuge for the Weary

Searching Google for "hymns refuge" on a whim led me to this profound and beautiful hymn I'd never before encountered. It might just be the theme song for my 2014. Perhaps someone else needs this sung prayer today too? Our Lord is a faithful refuge, beloved. He is our security and our strength.




Here is the full text by Anne Steele, which includes a second verse omitted in the arrangement above:

1 Dear refuge of my weary soul,
On thee when sorrows rise;
On thee, when waves of trouble roll,
My fainting hope relies.

2 While hope revives, though pressed with fears,
And I can say, "My God,"
Beneath thy feet I spread my cares,
And pour my woes abroad.

3 To thee I tell each rising grief,
For thou alone canst heal;
Thy word can bring a sweet relief,
For every pain I feel.

4 But oh! when gloomy doubts prevail
I fear to call thee mine;
The springs of comfort seem to fail
And all my hopes decline.

5 Yet gracious God, where shall I flee?
Thou art my only trust;
And still my soul would cleave to thee,
Though prostrate in the dust.

6 Hast thou not bid me seek thy face?
And shall I seek in vain?
And can the ear of sovereign grace
Be deaf when I complain?

7 No, still the ear of sovereign grace
Attends the mourner's prayer;
O may I ever find access,
To breathe my sorrows there.

8 Thy mercy-seat is open still;
Here let my soul retreat,
With humble hope attend thy will,
And wait beneath thy feet.

The Christian's duty, exhibited in a series of hymns, 1791

The sheet music is available to print at no cost here:
http://s3.amazonaws.com/ruf-hymnbook-prod/hymns/431/original/dear-refuge-of-my-weary-soul.pdf?1355798948  .