OH, what a wilderness is this,
Through which we’re called to roam,
Well may we groan, well may we sigh,
And long to reach our home.
As strangers in this faithless world
That yields us no delight,
We thirst, we faint, to view that land,
That city out of sight.
Our weary hearts are often tried,
Oft troubled and distress’d,
And, like the dove, our way worn feet
Can find no place of rest.
Temptations sore obstruct our path
And press on every side,
But oh, what cause have we to fear,
With such a faithful guide.
He knows too well the path we tread
To let us miss our way;
He will support and comfort us
While in the world we stay.
Truly it is by far the best
To be with Him we love,
For though we still are pilgrims here,
Our treasure is above.
Oh, had we wings like yonder dove,
How gladly would we soar
To yonder fair and happy land,
Where sin shall be no more.
There shall we stand before the throne,
In garments white and clean,
There view our Saviour’s lovely face
Without a cloud between.
Hail glorious hope, come Saviour come,
According to Thy word,
We faint, we thirst, we long to dwell
Forever with our Lord.