Divine Hymns or Spiritual Songs, for the use of religious assemblies and private Christians ‎#XVIII

XVIII. Christian under Darkness

1 How tedious and tasteless the hours
When Jesus no longer I see;
Sweet prospects, sweet birds, and sweet flow'rs,
Have all lost their sweetness to me.

2 The mild 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.

3 His name yields the richest perfume,
And sweeter than music his voice;
His presence disperses my gloom;
And makes all within me rejoice.

4 I should, were he always thus nigh,
Have nothing to wish or to fear;
No monarch so happy as I,
My summer would last all the year.

5 Content with beholding his face,
My all to his pleasure resign;
No changes of seasons or place
Would make any change in my mind.

6 While bless'd with a sense of his love,
A palace of joy would appear,
And prisons would palaces prove,
If Jesus would dwell with me there.

7 Lord if indeed I now am thine,
And thou art my sun and my song,
Say why do I languish and pine,
And why are my winter so long?

8 O drive those dark clouds from my sky,
Thy soul-cheering presence restore,
Or take me to thee up on high,
Where winter and clouds are no more.

Text Information

• First Line: How tedious and tasteless the hours
• Title: Christian under Darkness
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1802

Tune Information

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