When gathering clouds around I view,

And days are dark and friends are few;

On him I lean, who, not in vain,

Experienced every human pain.

He sees my wants, allays my fears,

And counts and treasures up my tears.

2 If aught should tempt my soul to stray

From heavenly wisdom’s narrow way,

To fly the good I would pursue,

Or do the ill I would not do;

Still he who felt temptation’s power,

Will guard me in that dangerous hour.

3 When, sorrowing, o’er some stone I bend,

Which covers all that was a friend;

And from his hand, his voice, his smile,

Divides me for a little while—

My Saviour marks the tears I shed,

For “Jesus wept” o’er Lazarus dead.

4 And, O! when I have safely passed

Through every conflict but the last,

Still, Lord, unchanging, watch beside

My dying bed, for thou hast died;

Then point to realms of cloudless day,

And wipe the latest tear away.