Edward Hayes Plumptre (1821–1891)

THINE arm, O Lord, in days of old

Was strong to heal and save;

It triumphed o’er disease and death,

O’er darkness and the grave:

To Thee they went, the blind, the dumb,

The palsied and the lame,

The leper with his tainted life,

The sick with fevered frame;

And, lo, Thy touch brought life and health,

Gave speech, and strength, and sight;

And youth renewed and frenzy calmed

Owned Thee, the Lord of Light.

And now, O Lord, be near to bless,

Almighty as of yore,

In crowded street, by restless couch,

As by Gennesareth’s shore.

Though love and might no longer heal

By touch, or word, or look;

Though they who do Thy work must read

Thy laws in Nature’s book:

Yet come to heal the sick man’s soul,

Come, cleanse the leprous taint;

Give joy and peace where all is strife,

And strength where all is faint.

Be Thou our great Deliverer still

Thou Lord of life and death,

Restore and quicken, soothe and bless

With Thine Almighty breath:

To hands that work and eyes that see

Give Wisdom’s heavenly lore,

That whole and sick, and weak and strong,

May praise Thee evermore.