1 Precious promise God has given
To the weary passerby,
On the way from earth to Heaven,
“I will guide thee with Mine eye.”
Refrain:
I will guide thee, I will guide thee,
I will guide thee with Mine eye;
On the way from earth to Heaven,
I will guide thee with Mine eye.
2 When temptations almost win thee
And thy trusted watchers fly,
Let this promise ring within thee,
“I will guide thee with Mine eye.” (Refrain)
3 When thy secret hopes have perished
In the grave of years gone by,
Let this promise still be cherished,
“I will guide thee with Mine eye.” (Refrain)
4 When the shades of life are falling
And the hour has come to die,
Hear thy trusty Pilot calling,
“I will guide thee with Mine eye.” (Refrain)
Source: Worship and Service Hymnal: For Church, School, and Home #300
First Line: | Precious promise God hath given |
Title: | Precious Promise |
Author: | Nathaniel Niles |
Language: | English |
Refrain First Line: | I will guide thee, I will guide thee |
Copyright: | Public Domain |
Precious promise God hath given. N. Niles. [The Divine Guide.] Concerning this hymn and its writer, S. W. Duffield says in his English Hymns, 1886, p. 461:—
"This well-known ‘Moody and Sankey' hymn was written by Mr. Nathaniel Niles, a resident of Morristown, New Jersey, and, at that time, a lawyer in New York City. Mr. Niles was born at South Kingston, Rhode Island, September 15th, 1835. He composed these verses on the margin of a newspaper in the railway car while on his way to business."
The hymn was published in The Episcopalian; and again in P. Bliss's Gospel Songs, 1874, with music by Bliss. The text and music in I. D. Sankey's Sacred Songs and Solos, are from the Gospel Song.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)