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O LORD, close to Thee we would cleave,
   And rest on Thy promise alone,
Thy righteousness only receive,
    And never place trust in our own.
 
2  For Thou art our Shepherd divine,
    Whose word on our hearts we shall keep—
‘This flock has the Father made Mine;
    I lay down My life for My sheep . . .
 
3  ‘Tis life everlasting I give;
    My blood was the price My sheep cost,
Not one that on Me shall believe
    Shall ever be finally lost.’
 
4  This God is the God we adore,
    Our faithful, unchangeable Friend!
Whose love is as great as His power,
    And knows neither measure nor end!
 
5  ’Tis Jesus the First and the Last,
    Whose Spirit shall guide us safe home;
We’ll praise Him for all that is past,
    And trust Him for all that’s to come.
 
(Derived from ‘No prophet or dreamer of dreams’),
Joseph Hart, 1712-68