Hymns for the Use of Families, 98

Thou God who hear'st the prayer
Of supplicants distress'd,
With pity mark the care
In a sad parent's breast:
I cannot, Lord, dissemble;

But all my weakness own:
Thou know'st for whom I tremble, -
My son, my only son!
Thou gav'st on this condition,
That I should ready be
To bow with meek submission,
And yield him back to Thee:
To all Thy dispensations
I would, I would submit,
And weep with humble patience,
And tremble at Thy feet.
I must, I do restore,
If Thou revoke Thy loan,
And silently adore,
Or sigh, Thy will be done:
To Thee his great Creator,
I with my Isaac part:
But O, Thou know'st my nature,
Thou read'st a father's heart.
My bowels of compassion
Thou dost vouchsafe to feel,
With vehement deprecation
While nature's wish I tell;
Ah, do not yet receive him
To that celestial choir,
But hasten to relieve him,
Before my son expire.
This sorrowful petition
Obtain'd Thy gracious ear,
When our Divine Physician
Thou didst on earth appear:
And still I sue for favour,
And still invoke Thy name,
Jesus, my present Saviour,
Eternally the same.

Bidden in time of trouble
For help to call on Thee,
Lord, I my suit redouble,
Till Thy design I see:
I never will give over
My passionate request,
Till Thou the child recover,
Or take him to Thy breast.