Calm me, my God, and keep me calm, While these hot breezes blow; Be like the night-dew’s cooling balm Upon earth’s fevered brow. Calm me, my God, and keep me calm, Soft resting on Thy breast; Sooth me with holy hymn and psalm, And bid my spirit rest. Calm me, my God, and keep me calm; Let Thine outstretchèd wing Be like the shade of Elim’s palm Beside her desert spring. Yes, keep me calm, though loud and rude The sounds my ear that greet, Calm in the closet’s solitude, Calm in the bustling street; Calm in the hour of buoyant health, Calm in my hour of pain; Calm in my poverty or wealth Calm in my loss or gain; Calm in the sufferance of wrong, Like Him Who bore my shame, Calm ’mid the threatening, taunting throng Who hate Thy holy Name; Calm as the ray of sun or star Which storms assail in vain; Moving unruffled through earth’s war, The eternal calm to gain. |