496: SPEED Thy servants, Saviour, speed them

496: SPEED Thy servants, Saviour, speed them

by Thomas Kelly (1769-1854)

1 SPEED Thy servants, Saviour, speed them,
Safely through land, sea, and air,
Go before them, guide, and lead them,
In their journeys everywhere.
Be Thou with them;
We commit them to Thy care.

2 Friend and home and all forsaking,
They have gone at Thy command,
As their stay, Thy promise taking;
Grant them always from Thy hand,
Strength and wisdom;
Help them faithfully to stand.

3 Send them forth at Thy direction,
To the places of Thy choice,
Yielding in complete subjection,
Listening only to Thy voice;
Bless and use them,
In Thy service to rejoice.

4 Should no fruit appear to cheer them,
And they seem to toil in vain,
Then in mercy, Lord, draw near them,
Then their sinking hopes sustain;
Thus supported,
Let their zeal revive again.

5 In the midst of opposition,
Let them trust, O Lord, in Thee;
When success attends their mission,
Let Thy servants humble be;
Never leave them,
Till Thy face in heaven they see.

6 There to reap in joy for ever
Fruit that grows from seed here sown;
There to be with Him who never
Ceases to preserve His own,
And with gladness
Give the praise to Him alone.