O Thou in Whose Presence
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Lyrics
Lyrics from A Collection of Sacred Hymns, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1841
- Notes: It is interesting how the order of the lyrics is different in this hymnal; it seems that normally the seventh and eighth verses are at the beginning. Also, it is interesting that Redeemer of Israel, a hymn very similar to this one, is also included in the same hymnal (no. 119).
Hymn 75 P.M. 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 noon-tide Resort with thy sheep, To feed on the pastures of love! For 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. You daughters of Zion, Declare have you 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 on his head Are as grapes on the vine, When autumn with plenty is crowned. 6. The roses of Sharon, The lilies that grow In the vales on the banks of the streams, On his cheeks in the beauty Of excellence blow, 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 water the garden of grace; From which their salvation The Gentiles shall know, And bask in the smiles of his face. 9. Love sits in his eyelids, And scatters delight Through all the bright mansions on high; Their faces the cherubim Veil in his sight, And tremble with fulness 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.