This is the fourth of my cycle of ten Hymns, called “The Psalms of Davey”. They are being reproduced in a special category on this blog one after another. In only one case is the tune my own (that’ll be number ten). In other cases, please follow the links to get to the midi for the tunes, courtesy of http://www.cyberhymnal.org
4. “O PRECIOUS SAVIOUR, DRAW THEE NEAR”
Words Uncle Davey, Voronezh, Russia, 2nd October 1985. Music William Henry Gladstone (1840-1892) Tune name “Ombersley”. The composer was the eldest son of British Prime Minister William E. Gladstone, and was himself a member of parliament for twenty years. The tune is named for his political constituency, but despite the political aspect, I have to say I consider it to be one of the finest gentle devotional tunes, borne out of the composer’s painstaking study of the history of sacred music.)
First published 4th April 2004
1.
O precious Saviour, draw thee near,
For Thy sweet mercy’s sake, me hear
I am a sinner, lost and lone,
Gracious Lord, take me for Thine own.
2.
O blessed Saviour, in Thy grace
Within mine heart take sovereign place.
O Lord, accept this lowly throne:
Gracious Lord, take me for Thine own.
3.
Lord Jesus, Thou dost reign on high
Yet dost to my poor soul draw nigh,
And Thou dost hear my sin-sick groan
And Thou dost take me for Thine own.
4.
Lord! Hold me back from tempting schemes
And from fulfilling sinful dreams.
How can I now such sin condone?
For I am Thine, and not mine own.
5.
Lord, of my will, and mind and heart,
O take control in every part!
Make me no more to satan prone:
I am not his, I am Thine own.
6.
Lord, since Thou dost within me dwell
Do Thou me keep from pow’rs of hell.
For Thou hast suffered to atone
All those whom Thou dost call Thine own.
7.
And at times end, when sinners all
Before God’s judgement seat shall fall,
Those who ne’er did repent shall moan
That they remained, till death, their own.
“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (I Corinthians 6 vv 19-20)