Thine for ever! God of love

"Thine for ever! God of love" is an English confirmation hymn. It was written by Mary Fawler Maude in 1847. The original is in seven stanza of four lines. It is usually abbreviated, and stanzas two and three transposed, as in the S.P.C.K. Church Hymns, 1871; the Hymnal Companion; Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1875; Thring's Collection, 1882, and other hymnbooks. As a hymn for Confirmation its use in its day was extensive. The hymn was altered by various editors.

Origin
Maude wrote the story of the hymn for the Rev. John Brownlie:—

History
Maude's hymn was suited to a confirmation service in the Church of England. In the U.S., the hymn does not seem to have been used in the Episcopal Church until 1872. By that time, it was already becoming familiar in such Presbyterian and Congregational churches as were using Charles Seymour Robinson's Songs for the Sanctuary, published in 1865.

Uses
Nearly fifty years after it was written, it was sung at St Deiniol's Church, Hawarden, by Edward White Benson, Archbishop of Canterbury, two hours before his death, and was also sung at his funeral. It was the favourite hymn of William Plunket, 4th Baron Plunket, Archbishop of Dublin.

Lyrics
1 Thine for ever! God of love, Hear us from Thy throne above; Thine for ever may we be  Here and in eternity.

2 Thine for ever! Lord of life, Shield us through our earthly strife; Thou, the Life, the Truth, the Way, Guide us to the realms of day.

3 Thine for ever! O how blest They who find in Thee their rest! Saviour, Guardian, heavenly Friend, O defend us to the end.

4 Thine for ever! Saviour, keep These Thy frail and trembling sheep; Safe alone beneath Thy care, Let us all Thy goodness share.

5 Thine for ever! Thou our Guide, All our wants by Thee supplied, All our sins by Thee forgiven, Lead us, Lord, from earth to heaven.

There were originally a sixth and a seventh verse which were not used in hymnals. 6 Thine for ever! In that day When the world shall pass away: When the trumpet’s note shall sound, And the nations under ground

7 Shall the awful summons hear, Which proclaims the Judgment near: Thine for ever! ’Neath Thy wings Hide and save us, King of kings!”