Forth in thy name, O Lord, I go

290 Kelbe L. M.

1 Forth in thy name, O Lord, I go,
   my daily labour to pursue;
   thee, only thee, resolved to know,
   in all I think or speak or do.

2 The task thy wisdom hath assigned
   O let me cheerfully fulfil;
   in all my works thy presence find,
   and prove thy good and perfect will.

3 Give me to bear thy easy yoke,
   and every moment watch and pray,
   and still to things eternal look,
   and hasten to thy glorious day;

4 For thee delightfully employ
   whate'er thy bounteous grace hath given,
   and run my course with even joy,
   and closely walk with thee to heaven.
                         Charles Wesley
                         The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition

<idle musing>
An appropriate hymn to end the year with as we look forward to a new year!

Hymnary.org inserts two verses after verse 2:

3 Preserve me from my calling's snare,
   and hide my simple heart above,
   above the thorns of choking care,
   the gilded baits of worldly love.

4 Thee may I set at my right hand,
   whose eyes my inmost substance see,
   and labour on at thy command,
   and offer all my works to thee.

</idle musing>