Psalter Hymnal (Gray) ‎#554

554. In Sweet Communion, Lord, with You

1 In sweet communion, Lord, with you
I constantly abide;
my hand you hold within your own
to keep me near your side.

2 Your counsel through my earthly way
shall guide me and control,
and then to glory afterward
you will receive my soul.

3 Whom have I, Lord, in heaven but you,
to whom my thoughts aspire?
And, having you, what more on earth
is there I can desire?

4 Though flesh and heart should faint and fail,
the Lord will ever be
the strength and portion of my heart,
my God eternally.

5 To live apart from God is death;
'tis good his face to seek.
My refuge is the living God;
his praise I long to speak.

Text Information

• First Line: In sweet communion, Lord, with you
• Title: In Sweet Communion, Lord, with You
• Meter: CM
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1987
• Scripture:
  Psalm 73:23-28
• Topic: Walk with God
• Source: Psalter, 1912, alt.

Tune Information

• Name: PRAYER
• Composer: William U. Butcher (1860)
• Meter: CM
• Key: B♭ Major

Text Information:

Scripture References:
st. 1 = Ps. 73:23
st. 2 = Ps. 73:24
st. 3 = Ps. 73:25
st. 4 = Ps. 73:26
st. 5 = Ps. 73:27-28

This text is a paraphrase of the final segment of a wisdom psalm, Psalm 73:23-28 (for general comments on this psalm see PHH 73). The versification of the text (usually one biblical verse per stanza) is a revision of that found in the 1912 Psalter.

"In Sweet Communion" sets forth the joy of walking closely with God (st. 1 and 5), following his directives (st. 2), shunning earthly distractions (st. 3), and experiencing his comfort and power. The final stanza proclaims the wisdom theme of the psalm: "To live apart from God is death; 'tis good his face to seek."

Liturgical Use:
Worship that focuses on the teaching "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Tune Information:

William U. Butcher (U.S.A., nineteenth century) composed PRAYER in 1860. Except for the fact that he had some association with the Oliver Ditson Music Company, no information is available about Butcher.

This simple but serviceable tune has an elementary harmonization that invites singing in harmony. To emphasize the theme, sing the final stanza in unison both at the beginning and the end as a frame with an alternate organ setting. Sing all other stanzas in parts. Maintain one broad pulse per bar.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook