Keep Them

“Keep them.”
For whom did Jesus plead?
What love, what mercy in that prayer!
Ah, well He knew His people’s need
Of His protecting, keeping care.
“Keep them,”—
the objects of my love,
Chosen Eternally in me,
For whom any tender mercies move,
For whom I yield my life to thee.
“Keep them,”—
any people weak and small,
Who have no strength without Thy aid,
Who find in Me their “all in all,”
Since I their debt of justice paid.
“Keep them,”
My Father, they are mine;
Save them from evil’s dangerous way.
The world with all its powers combined,
To turn their feeble steps astray.
“Keep them,”—
they are not of Earth;
Like me they must its hatred know
I gave to them a Heavenly Birth
A life that from my death shall flow.
“Keep them,”
Thou wilt; no power in Heaven
Or Earth, shall pluck them from thy hand;
To them Eternal Life is given,
And in this love secure they stand.
“Keep them.”
Compassionate request!
Breathed from the lips of Him who deed
He knew what hearts His saints possessed
Prone from His sacred path to slide.
“Keep them,”
He prays: O boundless love!
To plead for Adam’s ruined race;
And still He intercedes above,
And still imparts His Sovereign grace.
“Keep them.”
By power divine they stand,
Till Christ invites His saints above.
To praise with all the ransomed band,
“Redeeming grace, and dying love.”