A Selection of Hymns ‎#DXXXVII

DXXXVII. Desiring the Presence of God in Affliction

1 Thou only center of my rest,
Look down with pitying eye;
While with protracted pain opprest
I breathe the plaintive sigh.

2 Thy gracious presence O my God,
My every wish contains,
With this, beneath affliction's load,
My heart no more complains.

3 This can my every care control,
Gild each dark scene with light;
This is the sunshine of the soul,
Without it all is night.

4 My Lord, my life, O cheer my heart
With thy reviving ray,
And bid these mournful shades depart,
And bring the dawn of day!

5 O happy scenes of pure delight!
Where thy full beams impart
Unclouded beauty to the sight,
And rapture to the heart.

6 Her part in those fair realms of bliss,
My spirit longs to know;
My wishes terminate in this,
Nor can they rest below.

7 Lord, shall the breathings of my heart
Aspire in vain to thee?
Confirm my hope, that where thou art,
I shall for ever be.

8 Then shall my cheerful spirits sing
The darksome hours away,
And rise on faith's expanded wing
To everlasting day.

Text Information

• First Line: Thou only center of my rest
• Title: Desiring the Presence of God in Affliction
• Author: Steele
• Meter: C. M.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1792
• Topic: Times and Seasons: Sickness; Presence of God desired in Affliction; Presence of God desired in sickness

Tune Information

(No tune information)