O trials and troubles and losses in life,
What are ye but simples to strengthen my soul?
And worry and riot, the wear and the strife,
But spurrings and whippings that speed to the goal?
Yea, trampled affection, yea hopes that are crushed,
Ambitious laid low (the best mercy to pride)
Are comforted all and their murmurings hushed
By 'Jireh-Jehovah, the Lord will provide.'
Thou seest, Thou knowest, Thou doest all well,
Whatever is done is the work of Thy hand,
Thy footsteps are hidden, and man may not tell
The depth and the height of the thoughts Thou hast plann'd:
Yet faith in the darkness rejoices to take
Her stand on this rock in the storm-driven tide
He never will leave thee, He cannot forsake,
For - 'Jireh-Jehovah, the Lord will provide.'
I would not implore Thee to spare me this loss,
I dare not desire Thee to grant me that gain,
Thou orderest rightly the crown or the cross,
The shame as the glory, the joy and the pain:
But I can rely on my Father and Friend
And pray to Him alway, as if by my side,
Contented on Him, as His child, to depend
With 'Jireh-Jehovah, the Lord will provide.'