Methodist Hymn and Tune Book ‎#522

522. Thou knowest, Lord, the weariness and sorrow

1 Thou knowest, Lord, the weariness and sorrow
Of the sad heart that comes to Thee for rest;
Cares of to-day, and burdens for to-morrow,
Blessings implored, and sin to be confessed;
We come before Thee at thy gracious word,
And lay them at thy feet: Thou knowest, Lord.

2 Thou knowest all the past: how long and blindly,
On the dark mountains, the lost wandered strayed,
How the good Shepherd followed, and how kindly
He bore it home, upon His shoulders laid,
And healed the bleeding wounds, and soothed the pain,
And brought back life, and hope, and strength again.

3 Thou knowest all the present each temptation
Each toilsome duty, each foreboding fear,
All to each one assigned of tribulation,
Or to beloved ones than self more dear;
All pensive memories, as we journey on,
Longings for vanished smiles and voices gone.

4 Thou knowest all the future: gleams of gladness
By stormy clouds too quickly overcast;
Hours of sweet fellowship, and parting sadness,
And the dark river to be crossed at last.
O what could hope and confidence afford
To tread that path but this Thou knowest, Lord!

5 Thou knowest, not alone as God, all knowing:
As Man our mortal weakness Thou hast proved:
On earth, with purest sympathies o'erflowing,
O Saviour, Thou hast wept, and Thou hast loved,
And love and sorrow still to Thee may come,
And find a hiding-place, a rest, a home.

6 Therefore we come, Thy gentle call obeying,
And lay our sins and sorrows at Thy feet,
On everlasting strength our weakness staying.
Clothed in Thy robe of righteousness complete,
Then rising and refreshed we leave Thy throne,
And follow on to know as we are known.

Text Information

• First Line: Thou knowest, Lord, the weariness and sorrow
• Author: Miss Jane Borthwick, 1813-1897
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1917
• Topic: The Christian Life: The Inner Life; Departed, memories of the; God: Omniscience; Omniscience

Tune Information

• Name: WARRENNE No. 4
• Composer: Dr. O. R. Barnicott, c 1877
• Meter: 11.10.11.10.10.10
• Key: G Major or modal