545. C. M. Heber. In the Day of Distress.

1 Oh God, that mad'st the earth and sky,
The darkness and the day,
Oh listen to Thy children's cry,
And help us when we pray!

2 For wide the waves of bitterness
Around our vessel roar,
And heavy grows the burdened heart,
To view the rocky shore.

3 The cross our Master bore for us,
For him we fain would bear;
But mortal strength to weakness turns,
And courage to despair!

4 Have mercy on our failings, Lord!
Our sinking faith renew!
And when his sorrows visit us,
O send his patience too.