Hymn: O richly, Father, have I been

  • Title:
  • First Line: O richly, Father, have I been
  • Hymnal: A Book of Hymns for Public and Private Devotion (15th ed.)
  • Denomination: Unitarians and Universalists
  • Publisher: Ticknor and Fields
  • Publication Date: 1866

Author(s)

  • Author Name: William Henry Furness
  • Born: 1802
  • Died: 1896
  • Gender: M

Full Text

O, richly, Father, have I been Blest evermore by Thee! And morning, noon, and night Thou hast Preserved me tenderly. And yet the love which Thou shouldst claim To idols I have given; Too oft have bound to earth the hopes That know no home but heaven. Unworthy to be called Thy son, I come with shame to Thee, Father!—O, more than Father, Thou Hast always been to me! Help me to break the heavy chains The world has round me thrown, And know the glorious liberty Of an obedient son. That I may henceforth heed whate'er Thy voice within me saith, Fix deeply in my heart of hearts A principle of faith,— Faith that, like armor to my soul, Shall keep all evil out, More mighty than an angel host, Encamping round about.

Return to All Records