I Bow My Forehead to the Dust

John Greenleaf Whittier

Image in the Public Domain

Hymn Source = The Hymnal (1911), the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.

Words by John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-1892) in 1867

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1.  I bow my forehead to the dust,

I veil mine eyes for shame,

And urge, in trembling distrust,

A prayer without a claim.

No offering of mine own I have,

No works my faith to prove;

I can but give the gifts He gave,

And plead His love for love.

2.  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.

3.  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.