To Be With Christ, For Me Is Far Better

1 If all the globe belong'd to me,
Both lands and seas, from east to west,
Yet, Lord, my soul would thirst for thee,
Because "to be with Christ is best."

2 Should honour court me with her charms,
Or kings invite me as a guest,
Or pleasure call me to her arms,
Yet still "to be with Christ is best."

3 Should gold, and silk, and diamonds bright,
By sons of art be made my vest,
All would be nothing in my sight;
"To be with Christ would far be best."

4 Or should I so exalted be,
That all to me should make request;
It would be better far for me
"To be with Christ, for that is best."

5 Should friends and kindred, with their claims,
A thousand lovely things suggest,
Or call me by the dearest names,
I'd say, "To be with Christ is best."

6 Should I be lov'd by all so well,
That I should be all caress'd;
My soul doth know, in Heav'n to dwell,
"And be with Jesus Christ is best."

7 Or should the sons and heirs of heav'n
Seek to detain me from his breast;
To them this answer should be giv'n,
"To be with Christ the Lord is best."

8 Should all the race of Adam join
To make this world my settled rest,
And to regard me should combine,
"To be with Christ for me is best."

9 Were nature's goods combin'd in one,
Peace, health, and competence possess'd,
And all the joys below the sun,
"For me to be with Christ is best."

10 Music and friendship surely have
The sweetest charms, as 'tis confess'd,
These in perfection I would crave;
But, oh, "to be with Christ is best."

11 Should earth's united joys conspire
To make me here entirely blest;
Yet such is my intense desire
I'd say, "To be with Christ is best."

12 O might I see the world in peace,
And have no troubles to molest,
All wars and strifes for ever cease,
"To be with Christ would then be best."

13 Or might I see religion reign,
The gospel ev'ry where profess'd;
This most would tempt me to remain,
But then "to be with Christ is best."

14 Well may I say when mortals frown,
When friends forsake, and I'm opprest,
When evils rise, and good falls down,,
"To be with Christ is far the best."

15 Well may I say, when I'm bereav'd
Of kindred near, by death's arrest,
And by false brethren oft deceiv'd,
"To be with Jesus Christ is best."

16 When trouble, shame and wants abound,
And i'm on ev'ry side distrest,
And still with foes begirt around;
I say, "To be with Christ is best.

17 When war and bloodshed fills the earth,
I long in heav'n to build my nest;
When I have mourning for my mirth,
I'm sure "to be with Christ is best."

18 When I on earth can find no place,
And am in weeds of sorrow drest,
And meet reproach, contempt, disgrace,
No doubt "to be with Christ is best."

19 Thus whether joy or grief prevails,
This ev'ry Christian may attest,
As such a truth that never fails,
"To be with Christ in Heav'n is best."

20 Why since this world's a place of wo,
Where ev'ry virtue is supprest,
Should we not long from hence to go,
and be with christ, which far is best?

21 Lord grant while I on earth do stay,
This truth on me may be imprest,
"That let my state be what it may,
"To be with Christ for me is best."

22 There's something wrought within my soul,
(Tho' much borne down, with sin deprest)
That seeks the land where pleasures roll,
And says, "To be with Christ is best."

Source: A Choice Collection of Hymns, in which are some never before printed #XIII