“These things write we unto you that your joy may be full.”
IT is Thy presence, O my God!
Which cheers my soul from day to day,
Helps me pursue my upward course,
And happily go on my way.
It is not place, it is not friend,
It is not pleasure sweet, nor gain,
My longing heart can satisfy,
Or mitigate its bitter pain.
Nor is it in the power of ill
To take those blessings from the heart,
To rob me of that peace within,
Which Thy blest presence doth impart.
(And yet, my God, for friendships dear,
And every kindness I receive,
I thank Thee; and in them would learn
‘Tis Thou, and Thou alone, canst give.
I thank Thee, too, when friendships fail,
That I can hear what Thou dost say,
And, by a deeper lesson learn,
‘Tis Thou alone canst take away.)
In near companionship divine,
Both with the Father and the Son,
My joy is full, my cup runs o’er,
My heaven on earth is e’en begun.
My inmost soul may then repose
In Thee, my Saviour and my God;
Who art to me, my Life, my Light,
My only source of every good.