Habitual Devotion - Helen Maria Williams

While Thee I seek, protecting Power!
Be my vain wishes still’d;
And may this consecrating hour
With better hopes be fill’d! 
Thy love the powers of thought bestow’d;
To thee my thoughts would soar;
Thy mercy o’er my life has flowed;
That mercy I adore! 
In each event of life, how clear
Thy ruling hand I see!
Each blessing to my soul more dear,
Because conferr’d by Thee! 
In every joy that crowns my days,
In every pain I bear,
My heart shall find delight in praise,
Or seek relief in prayer. 
When gladness wings my favour’d hour,
Thy love my thoughts shall fill;
Resign’d, when storms of sorrow lour,
My soul shall meet Thy will.
My lifted eye, without a tear,
The gath’ring storm shall see;
My steadfast heart will know no fear;
Because it rests on Thee. 

By Helen Maria Williams