Thou My Shield

When the hopes that smile to­day

With the mor­row pass away;

When the flow­ers that plea­sure weaves

Fade and fall like au­tumn leaves:

Thou my shield and strength di­vine

Closer draw my love to Thine;

Rock of Ag­es

cleft for me

Let me hide my­self in Thee.

When my heart with toils op­pressed

Vainly seeks the balm of rest;

When be­set with tri­als deep

Throbbing cares that will not sleep:

When af­flict­ions o’er my soul

Like the waves of ocean roll:

When the clouds ab­ove me frown

And my bur­den weighs me down:

When the storms of life shall cease

When the waves are hushed in peace;

When I reach my home at last

Every dan­ger safe­ly passed: