My wife and I recently discovered The Divine Hours edited and composed by Phyllis Tickle. Today’s hymn for the Vespers Office deeply resonated with my spirit. It was written by Edward Plumptre. Plumptre lived and wrote in 19th century England and was a chaplain, writer, and scholar. Check out his bio here. The title of this specific hymn is entitled, “Your Hand , O Lord, in Days of Old.” May these feeble words awaken the strong Word of God in you.

Your Hand, O Lord, In Days of Old

Your hand, O Lord, in days of old

Was strong to heal and save;

You triumphed over pain and death,

O’er darkness and the grave.

To you they went, the blind, the mute,

The palsied* and the lame,

The leper set apart and shunned,

The sick and those in shame.

~

And then your touch brought life and health,

Gave speech and strength and sight;

And yourth renewed, with helath restored,

Claimed you, the Lord of light.

And so, O Lord, be near to bless,

Almighty now as then,

In every street, in every home,

In every troubled friend.

~

O be our mighty healer still,

Lord of life and death;

Restore and strengthen, soothe and bless

With your almight breath.

On hands that work and eyes that see,

Your helaing wisdom pour,

That whole and sick, weak and strong

May praise you evermore.

Edward Plumptre

* palsied can either mean one affected with trembling and shaking or someone affected with palsy.