Take Time to Be Holy

Take Time to Be Holy

Text written in 1882 by W. D. Longstaff (1822-1894)

Sung to HOLINESS, composed in 1890 by George C. Stebbins (1846-1945)

1 Peter 1:16 ...for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

V. 1 Take time to be holy,

Speak oft with thy Lord;

Abide in Him always,

And feed on His word;

Make friends of God's children,

Help those who are weak,

Forgetting in nothing

His blessing to seek.

2 Corinthians 3:18 Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. 

V. 2 Take time to be holy,

The world rushes on;

Spend much time in secret

With Jesus alone;

By looking to Jesus,

Like Him thou shalt be;

Thy friends in thy conduct

His likeness shall see.

Psalm 23:3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths

for his name’s sake.

V. 3 Take time to be holy, 

Let Him be thy Guide,

And run not before Him,

Whatever betide;

In joy or in sorrow,

Still follow thy Lord,

And, looking to Jesus,

Still trust in His word.

V. 4 Take time to be holy,

Be calm in thy soul,

Each thought and each motive

Beneath His control;

Thus led by His Spirit

To fountains of love,

Thou soon shalt be fitted

For service above.