Thou knowest, Lord, the weariness and sorrow Of the sad heart that comes to Thee for rest; Cares of today, and burdens for tomorrow, Blessings implored, and sins to be confessed; I come before Thee at Thy gracious word, And lay them at Thy feet: Thou knowest, Lord. Thou knowest all the present: each temptation, Each toilsome duty, each foreboding fear; All to myself assigned of tribulation, Or to belovèd ones than self more dear; All pensive memories, as I journey on, Longings for vanished smiles and voices gone. Thou knowest all the future: gleams of gladness By stormy clouds too quickly overcast; Hours of sweet fellowship, and parting sadness, And the dark river to be crossed at last; O what could confidence and hope afford To tread that path, but this, Thou knowest, Lord! Thou knowest, not alone as God, all knowing; As man, our mortal weakness Thou has proved: On earth, with purest sympathies o’erflowing, O Savior, Thou hast wept, and Thou hast loved; And love and sorrow still to Thee may come, And find a hiding place, a rest, a home. Therefore I come, Thy gentle call obeying, And lay my sins and sorrows at Thy feet; On everlasting Strength my weakness staying, Clothed in Thy robe of righteousness complete: Then rising and refreshed I leave Thy throne, And follow on to know as I am known. |