Your Hands, O Lord, In Days of Old
Two-part choir (equal voices) and keyboard. A setting of the hymn text (slightly paraphrased) by Edward Plumptre. An easy anthem, modal and flowing, with a haunting melody.
Your hands, O Lord, in days of old were strong to heal and save;
They triumphed over pain and death, o’er darkness and the grave.
to you they went, the blind, the mute, the palsied and the lame,
The leper set apart and shunned, the sick and those in shame.
And then your touch brought life and health, gave speech and strength and sight;
And youth renewed, with health restored, claimed you, the Lord of light.
And so, O Lord, be near to bless, almighty now as then,
In every street, in every home, in every troubled friend.
O be our mighty healer still, O Lord of life and death;
Restore and strengthen, soothe and bless with your almighty breath,
On hands that work and eyes that see, your healing wisdom pour,
That whole and sick and weak and strong may praise you evermore.