Hymn 46
John Newton
8,8,8,8a
None upon earth I desire besides thee.
Ps 73:2560 How tedious and tasteless the hours, When JESUS no longer I see; Sweet prospects, sweet birds, and sweet flow’rs, Have lost all their sweetness with me: The mid–summer sun shines but dim, The fields strive in vain to look gay; But when I am happy in Him, December’s as pleasant as May. | His name yields the richest perfume, And sweeter than music his voice; His presence disperses my gloom, And makes all within me rejoice: I should, were he always thus nigh, Have nothing to wish or to fear; No mortal so happy as I, My summer would last all the year. | Content with beholding his face, My all to his pleasure resigned; No changes of season or place, Would make any change in my mind: While blessed with a sense of his love, A palace a toy would appear; And prisons would palaces prove, If JESUS would dwell with me there. | Dear LORD, if indeed I am thine, If thou art my sun and my song; Say, why do I languish and pine, And why are my winters so long? O drive these dark clouds from my sky, Thy soul–cheering presence restore; Or take me unto thee on high, Where winter and clouds are no more. | |