Give me God’s unchanging hand

Bascom Franklin Faust (1874—1946) was an active Sacred Harp singer and promoter in Southeast Alabama. He wrote or arranged four tunes that appear in The Sacred Harp, Revised Cooper Edition, and one that is published in The Colored Sacred Harp. The song God’s Unchanging Hand was added to The Sacred Harp book in 1927. Faust used words that he credited to Mrs. J. M. Hunter. Mrs. Hunter (Laura Bell Ogilvie Hunter) wrote hundreds of hymns, most of which are fairly well documented. However, I have been unable to find any information about the hymn Faust used. Nevertheless, I see no reason that he would have credited it to her if it were not hers. Here are the three stanzas and chorus as it appears the The Sacred Harp.

1. Thro’ a sinful world I journey,
Dangers thick on ev’ry side,
Seeing not the path before me,
Knowing not what shall betide;
Oh, I need a guide and helper,
One who can my foes withstand,
This the pray’r I lift to heaven,
Give me God’s unchanging hand.

2. Earthly friends may soon forsake us,
Clouds may darken all my sky,
But there’s One above all others,
Who can ev’ry need supply;
He is called the friend of sinners,
Our salvation He has planned,
Unto Him my spirit whispers,
Give me God’s unchanging hand.

3. I am poor, dear Lord, and helpless,
Let me lay my hand in Thine,
Let me feel Thy strength unfailing,
Let me trust Thy love divine;
’Till by angels bright attended,
I shall reach the golden strand,
Grant, O, grant my soul’s petition,
Give me God’s unchanging hand.

Chorus:
Give me God’s unchanging hand,
Give me God’s unchanging hand,
While I live and when I’m dying,
Give me God’s unchanging hand;
I’m a pilgrim, I’m a stranger,
In a dark and dreary land,
’Till I reach the gates of glory,
Give me God’s unchanging hand.