46.
None upon earth I desire besides Thee.—Psalm Ixxiii, 25.
1 How tedious and tasteless the hours
When Jesus no longer I see ;
Sweet prospects, sweet birds, and sweet
flowers,
Have all lost their sweetness with me :
The midsummer 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.
2 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 so nigh,
Have nothing to wish or to fear ;
No mortal so happy as I,
My summer would last all the year.
3 Content with beholding his face,
My all to his pleasure re sign d,
No changes of season or place
Would make any change in my mind :
While bless d with a sense of his love,
A palace a toy would appear ;
And prisons would palaces prove
If Jesus would dwell with me there.
4 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.
