Here is a slightly reworked hymn by former Bishop of Durham, Handley Moule. Its original 77.77 metre made it sound a little sparse (perhaps better as a gradual hymn), and despite rich themes of service and dedication, a bit childish. With a bit of reworking it fits a L.M. tune quite well, and sounds much grander, particularly when sung to Orlando Gibbons' wonderful tune Song 34 (usually the tune for 'Forth in thy name, O Lord, I go" – I also missed out an odd verse about plying the scholars task (I think it started life as a school hymn).
Let me know what you think.
O Lord and Saviour, true and kind,
Be thou the Master of my mind;
O bless, and guide, and strengthen still
my humble pow’rs of thought and will.
Here now I train for life’s swift race;
O let me do it in Thy grace;
here do I arm me for life’s fight;
O let me do it in Thy might.
Thou, Lord, hast made me mind and soul;
I for Thee choose to use the whole;
for thou hast died that I might live;
and all my pow’rs to Thee I give.
I, striving, thinking, learning, still,
O let me follow thus Thy will,
until my whole glad nature be
prepared for duty and for Thee.
