Spiritual Songs

Hymns

Father Twas Thy Love That Knew Us

By J G Deck

Of All the Gifts Thy Love Bestows

By William Cowper

Father Twas Thy Love That Knew Us

1
  • Father, 'twas Thy love that knew us
  • Earth's foundation long before;
  • That same love to Jesus drew us
  • By its sweet constraining pow'r,
  • And will keep us
  • Safely now, and evermore.
2
  • God of love, our souls adore Thee!
  • We would still Thy grace proclaim,
  • Till we cast our crowns before Thee,
  • And in glory praise Thy name;
  • Praise and worship
  • Be to God and to the Lamb!
Parts
  • Combined

This hymn first appeared in G. V. Wigram's 'Hymns for the Poor of the Flock' (1838) as stanzas 3 and 4 of a four stanza hymn (#197) beginning 'ONCE we all were wretched strangers'. It has been in every edition of the Little Flock Hymn Book (as #2) from 1856 to date.

In 1932 a second verse, by Frank Arnold Darrah (1871-1936) of Birkdale, Southport, was added:

Now that changeless love enfolds us,

All its wealth on us bestows;

While its pow'r unchanging holds us

In a holy calm repose.

God and Father,

Unto Thee our worship flows.