eHymns.org

J. G. Crabbe

J. G. Crabbe

Alvin (Bud) Herman Manz in 2022

I sing the love of God, my Father,
Whose Spirit abides within,
Who changes all my grief to gladness,
And pardons me all my sin.
Though clouds may lower, dark and dreary,
Yet He has promised to be near;
He gives me sunshine for my shadow,
And "beauty for ashes" here.

I sing the love of God, my Savior,
Who suffered upon the tree,
That, in the secret of his presence,
My bondage might freedom be.
He comes "to bind the brokenhearted";
He comes the fainting soul to cheer;
He gives me "oil of joy" for mourning,
And "beauty for ashes" here.

I sing the beauty of the Gospel
That scatters, not thorns, but flowers,
That bids me scatter smiles and sunbeams
Wherever are lonely hours.
The "garment of His praise" it offers
For "heaviness of spirit" drear;
It gives me sunshine for my shadow,
And "beauty for ashes" here.

Chorus:
He gives my joy in place of sorrow;
He gives me love that casts our fear;
He gives me sunshine for my shadow,
And "beauty for ashes" here.