Vouchsafe, O Lord, Thy Presence Now

Vouchsafe

O Lord

Thy pre­sence now

Direct us in Thy fear;

Before Thy throne we hum­bly bow

And of­fer fer­vent pray­er.

Give us the men whom Thou shalt choose

Thy house on earth to guide;

Those who shall ne’er their pow­er abuse

Or rule with haugh­ty pride.

Inspired with wis­dom from ab­ove

And with dis­cre­tion blest;

Displaying meek­ness

tem­per­ance

love

Of ev­ery grace pos­sessed.

These are the men we seek of Thee

O God of right­eous­ness;

Such may our dea­cons ev­er be

With such Thy peo­ple blest.