O Thou whose tender mercy hears

O Thou whose tender mercy hears. Anne Steele* (1716-1778).  This was published in Poems on Subjects chiefly Devotional (1760) by ‘Theodosia’, where it was entitled  ‘Absence from God’:  O Thou, whose tender mercy hears  Contrition’s humble sigh;Whose hand, indulgent, wipes the tears  From sorrow’s weeping eye:  See! low before thy throne of grace  A wretched wanderer mourn;Hast thou not bid me seek thy face?  Hast thou not said, Return?  And shall my guilty fears prevail  To drive me from thy feet? O let not this dear refuge fail,  This only safe retreat.  Absent from thee, my guide, my light,  Without one cheering ray, Through dangers, fears, and gloomy night,  How desolate my way!  O...