Teach Me, O Lord, Thy Holy Way
Teach Me, O Lord, Thy Holy Way
Teach me, O Lord, Thy holy way,
And give me an obedient mind;
That in Thy service I may find
My soul’s delight from day to day.
Guide me, O Savior, with Thy hand,
And so control my thoughts and deeds,
That I may tread the path which leads
Right onward to the blessed land.
Help me, O Savior, here to trace
The sacred footsteps Thou hast trod;
And, meekly walking with my God,
To grow in goodness, truth, and grace.
Guard me, O Lord, that I may ne’er
Forsake the right, or do the wrong:
Against temptation make me strong,
And round me spread Thy shelt’ring care.
Bless me in ev’ry task, O Lord,
Begun, continued, done for Thee:
Fulfill Thy perfect work in me;
And Thine abounding grace afford.
SOME PEOPLE get the idea that the Lord’s way is unexciting—as if we’re children faced with a choice of peas or cotton candy. Peas are good for you, but the cotton candy is much more fun. Matson’s hymn echoes the psalmist: There is “delight” in obeying the Lord. It’s not just a case of doing what’s good for you, like eating peas. It’s finding delight and fulfillment in a growing relationship with God.
As the Lord “teaches” us His way, it’s not the tedium of a dry algebra class. It’s more like teaching a child to ride a bike. There will be some spills, but the end result is a whole new level of joy.
Teach me how to live, O Lord. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me. Do not let me fall into their hands. For they accuse me of things I’ve never done; with every breath they threaten me with violence. . . . Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.
Psalm 27:11-12, 14
From the book
