I. Lord, how mysterious are thy ways!
How blind are we! how mean our praise!
Thy steps can mortal eyes explore?
'Tis ours, to wonder and adore.

II. Thy deep decrees from creature sight
Are hid in shades of awful night;
Amid the lines, with curious eye,
Nor angels minds presume to pry.

III. Great God, I would not ask to see,
What in futurity shall be;
If light and bliss attend my days,
Then let my future hours be praise.

IV. Is darkness and distress my share?
Then let me trust thy guardian care;
Enough for me, if love divine,
At length through ev'ry cloud shall shine.

V. Yet this my soul desires to know,
Be this my only wish below,
"That Christ is mine!"—this great request
Grant, bounteous God,—and I am blest.