"How Precious is the Book Divine"
                          by John Fawcett, 1740-1817
                                  Text From:
                      THE HANDBOOK TO THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL
               (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1942)p.207
                                       


        1. How precious is the Book Divine,
        By inspiration given!
        Bright as a lamp its doctrines shine
        To guide our souls to heaven.

        2. It's light, descending from above
        Our gloomy world to cheer,
        Displays a Savior's boundless love
        And brings his glories near.

        3. It shows to man his wandering ways
        And where his feet have trod,
        And brings to view the matchless grace
        Of a forgiving God.

        4. O'er all the straight and narrow way
        Its radiant beams are cast;
        A light whose never weary ray
        Grows brightest at the last.

        5. It sweetly cheers our drooping hearts
        In this dark vale of tears,
        Life, light, and joy it still imparts
        And quells our rising fears.

        6. This lamp through all the tedious night
        Of life shall guide our way
        Till we behold the clearer light
        Of an eternal day.

        

        Notes:
        Hymn #285 from _The Handbook to the Lutheran Hymnal_
        Text: Ps. 119:105
        Author: John Fawcett, 1782
        Tune: "Walder"
        Composer: Johann J. Walder, 1788