Seeking God

The hymn “Seeking God” was written by Thomas Benson Pollock (1839-1896) and is one of two hymns he contributed to the 1889 Supplemental Hymns to Hymns Ancient & Modern. In this book it appears matched with Westbourne. The meter is 8s., 6 lines. Above the text appears the statement, “I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost; O seek Thy servant,” based on Psalm 119:176. It is often paired with the tune St. Chrysostom by Joseph Barnby.

1. We have not known Thee as we ought,
Nor learned Thy wisdom, grace and power;
The things of earth have filled our thought,
And trifles of the passing hour.
Lord, give us light Thy truth to see,
And make us wise in knowing Thee.

2. We have not feared Thee as we ought,
Nor bowed beneath Thine awful eye;
Nor guarded deed, and word, and thought
Remembering that God was nigh.
Lord, give us faith to know Thee near,
And grant the grace of holy fear.

3. We have not loved Thee as we ought,
Nor cared that we are loved by thee;
They presence we have coldly sought,
And feebly longed Thy face to see.
Lord, give a pure and loving heart,
To feel and own the love Thou art.

4. We have not served Thee as we ought,

Alas! The duties left undone—

The work with little fervour wrought—

The battles lost, or scarcely won!

Lord, give the zeal, and give the might,

For Thee to toil, for Thee to fight.

5. When shall we know Thee as we ought,

And fear, and love, and serve aright.

When shall we out of trial brought

Be perfect in the land of light.

Lord, may we day by day prepare

To see Thy face, and serve Thee there.