“Swift to hear” thy gracious voice,

“Swift to hear” the Shepherd’s bidding,

When mayhap, the careless feet

Are transgression’s mazes thridding.

“Swift to hear” the cry for help,

Coming from a brother weaker;

“Swift to hear” the cry for light,

Coming from the earnest seeker.

Lord may I, with open ears,

List attentive to thy calling;

So may I through coming years,

By thy word be kept from falling.

“Slow to speak” the angry word,

Thus the Holy Spirit grieving;

“Slow to speak” the foolish jest,

All the words of folly leaving;

“Slow to speak” the idle tale,

“Slow to speak” the vile detraction

That may sully someone’s name,

Right and pure though be his action.

Lord, help me speak some words of grace,

Golden words so fitly spoken,

To the weary, words in time,

Purest words, of heart the token.

“Slow to wrath” when sorely tried,

Scorned, insulted, bruised, and beaten—

Bear and forbear, Christ has died

All the ills of life to sweeten.

When reviled, reviled He not;

Suff’ring long, yet not redressing—

Leaving an example bright—

For the curses, giving blessing.

Lord help me to cherish naught

Of wrath, or vengeance, or ill feeling;

“Swift to hear” and “slow to speak,”

In all acts thy truth revealing.