Forth from the Dark and Stormy Sky

Forth from the dark and stormy sky,
Lord, to Thine altar’s shade we fly;
Forth from the world, its hope and fear,
Savior, we seek Thy shelter here:
Weary and weak, Thy grace we pray;
Turn not, O Lord, Thy guests away.

Long have we roamed in want and pain,
Long have we sought Thy rest in vain;
Wildered in doubt, in darkness lost,
Long have our souls been tempest tossed;
Low at Thy feet our sins we lay;
Turn not, O Lord, Thy guests away.

Author: Reginald Heber

Year: 1827

This hymn text is by Reginald Heber (1783–1826), Bishop of Calcutta. It first appeared posthumously in his Hymns Written and Adapted to the Weekly Church Service of the Year (1827). Some later hymnals attribute it jointly to Heber and another editor, but Heber is the primary author.