Joy to the World ‎#102

102. The Beloved

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, dear Shepherd, resort with thy sheep,
To feed them in 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,
Or 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 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 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 the Lord.

6 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'll ever rejoice.

Text Information

• First Line: O thou, in whose presence my soul takes delight
• Title: The Beloved
• Author: Joseph Swain
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1879
• Notes: Public Domain.

Tune Information

• Name: [O thou, in whose presence my soul takes delight]
• Harmonizer: T. C. O'K
• Key: D Major
• Notes: Public Domain.