1 Children of the heav'nly Father,
Safely in His bosom gather;
Nestling bird nor star in heaven
Such a refuge e'er was given.

2 God His own doth tend and nourish;
in His holy courts they flourish.
From all evil things He spares them;
In His mighty arms He bears them.

3 Neither life nor death shall ever
From the Lord His children sever;
Unto them His grace He showeth,
And their sorrows all He knoweth.

4 Though He giveth or He taketh,
God His children ne'er forsaketh;
His the loving purpose solely
To preserve them pure and holy.