INSPIRER of the ancient seers, Who wrote from Thee the sacred page, Kept through the long succeeding years For us in our benighted age: The message of that Word impart And break its life into our heart.
While now the text divine we read, With earnest prayer and strong desire, O may a work in us proceed Our souls to quicken and inspire; Our dullness help, our blindness chase, And guide us by the light of grace.
The sacred lessons of Thy ways, Transmitted through Thy Word, repeat; And train us up to themes of grace; And make us in Thy will complete; Fulfil Thy love’s redeeming plan And bring us to a perfect man.
So furnished from Thy treasury, O may we always ready stand To help the souls redeemed by Thee In what their various states demand; To teach, convince, correct, reprove, And build them up in serving love.
Charles Wesley, 1707-88‡