Keep thy heart

keep thy heart with earnest effort,
to thy god thy ear incline;
put away all foolish longings,
waiting for his will divine.

refrain

keep thy heart—with fervent watching;
cleanse its courts with loving care—
face to face in sweet communion,
thou shalt meet thy savior there.

keep thy heart—thou shalt not stumble
in the path of truth and light
if with firm and earnest purpose
thou shalt keep thy heart aright.

refrain

keep thy heart—dare not to enter
in the broad but downward way;
thine the narrow path that shineth
brighter to the perfect day.

refrain

keep thy heart—thy father seeth
all that is to men unknown;
surely in the day of sentence
he shall claim thee for his own.

refrain