Of Goodness and Mercy

God’s Goodness: what delight this confidence bestowsHis goodness does not shift like shadows through life’s highs and lowsBut, steadfast and secure in spite of creature careThe full assurance of His goodness combats dark despairWhere we who trust in Him, and His goodness unfurledAre part of His Goodness, to bring hope to a dying worldTo cheer the suffering, to bear their burden tooTo be a ready offering of His goodness run through God’s mercy: what sweet joy and consolation blessNo foe or trouble can destroy mercy’s kind faithfulnessSin’s pardon has been won. No other fete achievesWhat mercy grants to everyone who repents and believesWhere we would deserve death and hell, grace sets us freeHis mercy fills Final Breath’s knell with shouts of victoryFor through death’s valley, He will walk with us, so nearTo overthrow the enemy so that we need not fear Goodness and mercy, oh, let endless praise beginHis goodness for our want and woe, His mercy for our sinWherever life may lead, whatever may befallGoodness and mercy intercede to help us through it allWhere so unworthy we, heirs and joint heirs of ChristBenefit from the agony that Jesus sacrificedTo draw all men to Him, the Perfect Prince of PeaceWhere His goodness and mercy brim from founts that never cease The glass through which we peer does not reveal the wholeA darkly, sorrow-scarred veneer enshrouds the deathless soulWhere what we see in part often vexes our gazeGoodness and mercy’s works of art above our thoughts and waysBecause the cruciform of faith and hope and loveMust bear the testing storm its authenticity to proveBut, whatever betide, of grief and pain and strifeGoodness and mercy will preside all the days of our life © Janet Martin Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd;I shall not []want.2 He makes me to lie down in []green pastures;He leads me beside the []still waters.3 He restores my soul;He leads me in the paths of righteousnessFor His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil;For You are with me;Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;You anoint my head with oil;My cup runs over.6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow meAll the days of my life;And I will []dwell in the house of the Lord[]Forever.