867. With joy I welcome, Lord, your right

Author: Philip Doddridge 1702-51

With joy I welcome, Lord, your right
to every service I can pay;
and call it my supreme delight
to hear your word and to obey.

2. What are my days apart from you,
my sure support, my noblest end,
your ever-gracious face to view
and serve the cause of such a friend?

3. Let me not live for worldly joy,
or to increase my worldly good,
nor future time or powers employ
to spread a famous name abroad.

4. To Christ my Saviour may I live,
to him who for my ransom died;
nor could untainted Eden give
such joy as blossoms at his side.

5. His work my closing years shall bless,
when youthful vigour is no more;
and my last hour of life confess
his love has new-creating power.