Children of the Heavenly Father

1  Children of the heav'nly Father
    safely in his bosom gather;
    nestling bird nor star in heaven
    such a refuge e'er was given.

2  God his own doth tend and nourish,
    in his holy courts they flourish.
    From all evil things he spares them,
    in his mighty arms he bears them.

3  Neither life nor death shall ever
    from the Lord his children sever;
    unto them his grace he showeth,
    and their sorrows all he knoweth.

4  Though he giveth or he taketh,
    God his children ne'er forsaketh;
    his the loving purpose solely
    to preserve them pure and holy.