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* Index of the First Line of Each Stanza, the Fifth Line of Eight Line Stanzas, and the First Line of the Chorus

O for a faith that will not shrink

The power of faith.--Luke xvii. 5.

Poet: William Hiley Bathurst, 1831
Meter: Common Meter (8,6,8,6)
Location in The Sacred Harp
Stanza Denson Cooper
1
O for a faith that will not shrink
Though press'd by every foe;
That will not tremble on the brink
Of poverty or woe:

Security 66, Stanza 1, Lines 1, 2, 3, & 4
2
That will not murmur nor complain
Beneath the chastening rod;
But in the hour of grief or pain
Can lean upon its God:

Security 66, Stanza 1, Lines 5, 6, 7, & 8
3
A faith that shines more bright and clear
When tempests rage without;
That, when in danger, knows no fear;
In darkness feels no doubt:

Security 66, Stanza 2, Lines 1, 2, 3, & 4
4
That bears unmov'd the world's dread frown,
Nor heeds its scornful smile;
That sin's wild ocean cannot drown,
Nor its soft arts beguile:

5
A faith that keeps the narrow way
Till life's last hour is fled;
And with a pure and heavenly ray
Lights up a dying bed.

6
Lord, give me such a faith as this,
And then, whate'er may come,
I'll taste even now the hallow'd bliss
Of an eternal home.

Security 66, Stanza 2, Lines 5, 6, 7, & 8
Bathhurst, W. H. Psalms and Hymns for Public and Private Use. London: Hatchard and Sons, 1831.