Midweek Meditation: "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind"

This majestic hymn talks about how Big God is and how small we are. In seeking forgiveness, we receive the Big Heart of God, for in Jesus, there is perfect calm, comfort, and care. Written by John G. Whittier (1807-1892), this hymn is a beautiful accompaniment to worship and coming to resting in God's warm embrace.


Whittier is an American Quaker, who believes that God is best worshiped in quiet contemplation and reflection. It is a song that is hauntingly magnificent and rises up and lowers down in expectancy of capturing a glimpse of God's comforting presence.



Download the pdf here.

*** WORDS ***
Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
forgive our foolish ways!
Re-clothe us in our rightful mind,
in purer lives thy service find,
in deeper reverence, praise;
in deeper reverence, praise.

In simple trust like theirs who heard,
beside the Syrian sea,
the gracious calling of the Lord,
let us, like them, without a word,
rise up and follow thee;
rise up and follow thee.

O Sabbath rest by Galilee!
O calm of hills above,
where Jesus knelt to share with thee
the silence of eternity
interpreted by love!
interpreted by love!

Drop thy still dews of quietness,
till all our strivings cease;
take from our souls the strain and stress,
and let our ordered lives confess
the beauty of thy peace;
the beauty of thy peace.

Breathe through the heats of our desire
thy coolness and thy balm;
let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
O still, small voice of calm;
O still, small voice of calm.

conrade