I bow my forehead to the dust, I veil mine eyes for shame, And urge, in trembling self distrust, A prayer without a claim. No offering of mine own I have, Nor works my faith to prove; I can but give the gifts He gave, And plead His love for love. I dimly guess, from blessings known, Of greater out of sight; And, with the chastened psalmist, own His judgments too are right. And if my heart and flesh are weak To bear an untried pain, The bruis?©d reed He will not break, But strengthen and sustain. I know not what the future hath Of marvel or surprise, Assured alone that life and death His mercy underlies. And so beside the silent sea I wait the muffled oar; No harm from Him can come to me On ocean or on shore. I know not where His islands lift Their fronded palms in air; I only know I cannot drift Beyond His love and care; And Thou, O Lord, by Whom are seen Thy creatures as they be, Forgive me if too close I lean My human heart on Thee.