Judge Gently

-unknown-



Pray don't find fault with the man who limps
or stumbles along the road
unless you have worn the shoes he wears
or struggled beneath his load.
There may be tacks in his shoes that hurt
though hidden away from view
or the burden he bears-placed on your back
might cause you to stumble too.


Don't sneer at the man who's down today
unless you have felt the blow
that caused his fall or felt the shame
that only the fallen know.
You may be strong, but still the blows
that were his- if dealt to you
in the selfsame way, at the selfsame time
might cause you to stagger too.


Don't be too harsh with the man who sins
or pelt him with word or stone
unless you are sure, yea, doubly sure,
that you have no sins of your own
For you know perhaps if the tempter's voice
should whisper as softly to you
as it did to him when he went astray
it might cause you to stumble too.

Be Thou my vision

Be Thou my vision
O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me
Save that Thou art
Thou my best thought
By day or by night
Waking or sleeping
Thy presence my light

Be Thou my wisdom
And Thou my true word
I ever with Thee
And Thou with me Lord
Thou my great Father and I Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one


Riches I heed not
Nor man's empty praise
Thou my inheritance
Now and always
Thou and thou only
First in my heart
High King of heaven
My treasure Thou art
My treasure You are


Be Thou my breastplate
My sword for the fight
Be Thou my armour
And be Thou my might
Thou my soul shelter, and thy my high tower
Raise thou me heavenwards, power of my power

High king of heaven, my victory won
May I reach heaven's joy, bright heaven sun
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, oh ruler of all


Still be my vision, oh ruler of all