The Cyber Hymnal ‎#11915

11915. When Darkness Long Has Veiled My Mind

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

2 Strait I upbraid my wandering heart,
And blush that I should ever be
Thus prone to act so base a part,
Or harbor one hard thought of Thee!

3 Oh! 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,
Unskillful, 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 veiled my mind
• Title: When Darkness Long Has Veiled My Mind
• Author: William Cowper
• Meter: LM
• Language: English
• Source: Olney Hymns (London, W. Oliver, 1779), Book 3
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: Alternate tunes: FOREST by Amzi Chapin, 1823; IOSCO from an old German chorale; LUTHER'S CHANT by Heinrich C. Zeuner; MISSIONARY CHANT by Heinrich C. Zeuner; THERON by Luther O. Emerson; ZEPHYR by William B. Bradbury

Tune Information

• Name: RIVAULX
• Composer: John Bacchus Dykes (1866)
• Meter: LM
• Key: D Major
• Copyright: Public Domain