Hushed Was the Evening Hymn

1Hushed was the evening hymn,
The temple courts were dark,
The lamp was burning dim Before the sacred ark,
When suddenly a voice divine Rang through the silence of the shrine.

2O give me Samuel's ear,
The open ear,
O Lord,
Alive and quick to hear Each whisper of Thy word!
Like him to answer at Thy call,
And to obey Thee first of all.

3O give me Samuel's heart,
A lowly heart, that waits Where in Thy house Thou art,
Or watches at Thy gates!
By day and night, a heart that still Moves at the breathing of Thy will.

4O give me Samuel's mind,
A sweet, unmurmuring faith,
Obedient and resigned To Thee in life and death!
That I may read with childlike eyes Truths that are hidden from the wise.