Open, Lord, My Inward Ear

Open, Lord, my inward ear,
and bid my heart rejoice!
Bid my quiet spirit hear
thy comfortable voice,
never in the whirlwind found,
or where earthquakes rock the place;
still and silent is the sound,
the whisper of thy grace.

From the world of sin and noise
and hurry I withdraw.
For the small and inward voice
I wait, with humble awe.
Silent am I now and still,
dare not in thy presence move.
To my waiting soul reveal
the secret of thy love.

Thou hast undertook for me,
for me to death wast sold;
wisdom in a mystery
of bleeding love unfold.
Teach the lesson of the cross;
let me die with thee to reign.
All things let me count but loss
so I may thee regain.

Lord, my time is in thy hand—
my soul to thee convert.
Thou canst make me understand,
though I am slow of heart.
Thine, in whom I love and move,
thine the work, the praise is thine,
thou art wisdom, pow’r, and love,
and all thou art is mine.