O Holy Lord, Content to Fill

O holy Lord, content to fill
In lowly home the lowliest place,
Thy childhood’s law a mother’s will,
Obedience meek Thy brightest grace;

Lead every child that bears Thy Name
To walk in Thine own guileless way,
To dread the touch of sin and shame,
And humbly, like Thyself, obey.

O let not this world’s scorching glow
Thy Spirit’s quickening dew efface,
Nor blast of sin to rudely blow,
And quench the trembling flame of grace.

Gather Thy lambs within Thine arm,
And gently in Thy bosom bear;
Keep them, O Lord, from hurt and harm,
And bid them rest for ever there.

So shall they, waiting here below,
Like Thee their Lord, a little span,
In wisdom and in stature grow,
And favor with both God and man.

Author: William Bright

Year: 1874

This children's hymn for the Holy Innocents or for the example of Christ's childhood is by William Bright (1824–1901), an Anglican priest and Oxford professor. It first appeared in his Hymns and Other Poems (1874) and was later included in various Anglican hymnals. No strong alternate attributions exist.