How tender is thy hand

How tender is thy hand,
O thou most gracious God!
Afflictions come at thy command,
And leave us at thy word.

How gentle is the rod
That chastens us for sin!
How soon we find a smiling God
Where deep distress has been!

A Father's hand we feel,
A Father's love we know,
'Mid tears of penitence we kneel,
And find his promise true.

We tell him all our grief,
We think of Jesus' love;
A sense of pardon brings relief,
And bids our pains remove.

Now will we bless the Lord,
And in his strength confide;
Forever be his name adored,
For there is none beside.