Happy the man that bears the stroke

Happy the man that bears the stroke
Of his chastising God;
Nor stubbornly rejects the yoke,
Nor faints beneath his rod.

They who the Lord's correction share
Have favour in his eyes;
As kindest fathers will not spare
Their children to chastise.

Thy Lord for nothing would not chide;
Thou highly should'st esteem
The cross that's sent to purge thy pride,
And make thee more like him.

For this correction render praise;
'Tis given thee for thy good.
The lash is steeped he on thee lays,
And softened in his blood.

Know, whom the Saviour favours much,
Their faults he oft reproves;
He takes peculiar care of such,
And chastens whom he loves.

Then kiss the rod; thy sins confess;
It shall a blessing prove;
And yield the fruits of righteousness -
Humility and love.