O Lord, with Toil Our Days Are Filled

O Lord, with toil our days are filled,
They rarely leave us free;
O give us space to seek for grace
In happy thoughts of Thee.

Yet hear us, little though we ask,
O leave us not alone;
In every thought, and word, and task,
Be near us, though unknown.

Still lead us, wandering in the dark,
Still send us heavenly food,
And mark, as none on earth can mark,
Our struggle to be good.

Author: Thomas Hornblower Gill

Year: 1859

The hymn is by English Congregationalist poet Thomas Hornblower Gill (1819–1906), first published in his collection 'The Golden Chain of Praise' (1869) but written around 1859. The style, themes of seeking grace amid daily toil, and phrasing are characteristic of Gill's work; no strong alternate attributions exist.