As I wander all lonely and drear,
Through this valley of sorrow below,
How sweet to remember my Saviour is near,
To guide me wherever I go.
When my path seems encompassed with fears,
And I know not which way to pursue,
I can lift up my voice, though it may be with tears,
And say, “What wilt Thou have me to do.”
How often in sorrow I mourn,
O’er the want of more love in my heart,
And grieve that my faltering steps are so prone
From the heavenward way to depart.
But Jesus has promised to keep,
And what He has promised He’ll do;
I know He will grant me the guidance I seek,
If I have but His glory in view.
Ah, where would my wanderings end,
Without His omnipotent eye,
If He, whom I trust as my Guardian and Friend,
Should once His protection deny?
But I am a lamb of the flock,
And He is my Shepherd, I know,
Securely I’ll hide in the cleft of the Rock,
Saying, “What wilt Thou have me to do?”
Affliction and sorrow may come,
Temptations around me may press,
But Christ is my portion, and heaven is my home,
What more can a monarch possess?
With Jesus I cannot go wrong,
He marks out the way I pursue,
I’ll lean on His arm, as I travel along,
And say, “What wilt Thou have me to do?”
Oh may I with meekness receive,
Each stroke of His chastening rod,
Each painful affliction He pleases to give,
And bow to the will of my God.
I know that His will is the best,
And keeping His glory in view,
I’ll sing, as I march to my heavenly rest,
“Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?”
Oh may I in Jesus be found,
Though sickness and death should appear,
Though the waters of Jordan encompass me round,
I am safe if my Saviour is near.
And when in His presence I stand,
Released from all sorrow and care,
What joy shall be mine, in that heavenly land,
To own that He guided me there.