O Thou in Whose Presence (EN 330)

1

O Thou in whose presence my soul takes delight,

On whom in affliction I call,

My comfort by day, and my song in the night,

My hope, my salvation, my all.

2

Where dost Thou at noontide resort with Thy sheep,

To feed on the pastures of love?

Say, why in the valley of death should I weep,

Or alone in the wilderness rove?

3

O, why should I wander an alien from Thee,

And cry in the desert for bread?

Thy foes will rejoice when my sorrows they see,

And smile at the tears I have shed.

4

Ye daughters of Zion declare, have ye seen

The Star that on Israel shone?

Say, if in your tents my Beloved has been,

And where, with His flocks, He is gone.

5

This is my Beloved; His form is divine;

His vestments shed odors around:

The locks of His head are as grapes on the vine,

When autumn with plenty is crowned.

6

The roses of Sharon, the lilies that grow

In vales, on the banks of the streams:

On His cheeks, all the beauties of excellence glow,

And His eyes are as quivers of beams.

7

His voice, as the sound of the dulcimer sweet,

Is heard through the shadows of death;

The cedars of Lebanon bow at His feet,

The air is perfumed with His breath.

8

His lips as a fountain of righteousness flow,

That waters the garden of grace,

From which their salvation the Gentiles shall know,

And bask in the smiles of His face.

9

Love sits on His eye-lids, and scatters delight

Through all the bright mansions on high;

Their faces the cherubim veil in His sight,

And tremble with fullness of joy.

10

He looks, and ten thousands of angels rejoice,

And myriads wait for His word;

He speaks, and eternity, filled with His voice,

Re-echoes the praise of her Lord.

11

Dear Shepherd, I hear and will follow Thy call;

I know the sweet sound of Thy voice.

Restore and defend me, for Thou art my All,

And in Thee I will ever rejoice.