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 Tho' He giveth or He taketh,
God His children ne’er forsaketh;
His the loving purpose solely
to preserve them pure and holy.