Society hymns, original and selected on evangelical and experimental subjects ‎#III

III. Return of Joy

1 When darkness long has veil'd my mind,
And smiling day once more appears;
Then, my Redeemer, then I find
The folly of my doubts and fears.

2 I chide my unbelieving heart;
And blush that I should ever be
Thus prone to act so base a part,
Or harbor one hard thought of thee.

3 O let me then at length be taught
(What I am still so slow to learn;)
That God is love, and changes not,
Nor knows the shadow of a turn.

4 Sweet truth, and easy to repeat;
But when my faith is sharply tried
I find myself a learner yet,
Unskilful, weak, and apt to slide.

5 But, O my Lord, one look from thee
Subdues the disobedient will;
Drives doubt and discontent away,
And thy rebellious worm is still.

6 Thou art as ready to forgive
As I am ready to repine;
Thou, therefore, all the praise receive;
Be shame, and self-abhorrence, mine.

Text Information

• First Line: When darkness long has veil'd my mind
• Title: Return of Joy
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1790

Tune Information

(No tune information)