5. Hymn: The Inner Calm

The Inner Calm

Author: Horatius Bonar

1. Calm me, my God, and keep me calm, 

    While these hot breezes blow; 

    Be like the night-dew's cooling balm 

    Upon earth's fevered brow.  

2. Calm me, my God, and keep me calm, 

    Soft resting on Thy breast; 

    Soothe me with holy hymn and psalm, 

    And bid my spirit rest.  

3. Calm me, my God, and keep me calm, 

    Let Thine outstretched wing 

    Be like the shade of Elim's palm 

    Beside her desert-spring.  

4. Yes, keep me calm, though loud and rude 

    The sounds my ear that greet, 

    Calm in the closet's solitude, 

    Calm in the bustling street;  

5. Calm in the hour of buoyant health, 

    Calm in the hour of pain; 

    Calm in my poverty or wealth, 

    Calm in my loss or gain;  

6. Calm in the sufferance of wrong, 

    Like Him who bore my shame, 

    Calm 'mid the threatening, taunting throng, 

    Who hate Thy holy Name;  

7. Calm when the great world's news with power    

    My listening spirit stir; 

    Let not the tidings of the hour    

    E'er find too fond an ear. 

8. Calm as the ray of sun or star 

    Which storms assail in vain; 

    Moving unruffled through earth's war, 

    The eternal calm to gain.