You help make Hymnary.org possible. More than 10 million people from 200+ countries found hymns, liturgical resources and encouragement on Hymnary.org in 2025, including you. Every visit affirms the global impact of this ministry.

If Hymnary has been meaningful to you this year, would you take a moment today to help sustain it? A gift of any size—paired with a note of encouragement if you wish—directly supports the server costs, research work and curation that keep this resource freely available to the world.

Give securely online today, or mail a check to:
Hymnary.org
Calvin University
3201 Burton Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Thank you for your partnership, and may the hope of Advent fill your heart.

He Spake in the Cloudy Pillar

Representative Text

1 “He spake in the cloudy pillar:”
All trembling with fear they wait,
With the burden of sin unforgiven,
Repentance almost too late;
While pray’rs for Jehovah’s guidance
Ascend from each peopled tent,
And Moses pleads for mercy
For those who will repent.

Refrain:
He spake in the cloudy pillar
To those by fear oppressed,
“My presence shall go with thee,
And I will give thee rest.”

2 “He spake in the cloudy pillar:”
And Israel heard that day
That Jehovah, in mercy, forgiving,
Again would direct their way;
Oh! joy to a sinful people—
Repentant, yet full of fear,—
They feel their sins forgiven,
And know the Lord is near.
They feel their sins forgiven,
And know the Lord is near. [Refrain]

3 “He spake in the cloudy pillar:”
He speaketh again today,
At the door of my tomb I am waiting,
To hear what the Lord will say;
And down thro’ a holy stillness
He answers my soul’s request,
“My presence shall go with thee,
And I will give thee rest.”
“My presence shall go with thee,
And I will give thee rest.” [Refrain]

Source: The Helper in Sacred Song: for Sunday-schools, churches, and devotional services #36

Author: Mary E. Servoss

Servoss, M. E. Hymns by this writer are in I. D. Sankey's Sacred Songs & Solos, 1881. (1) “Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice" (Joy in the Redeemer); and (2) "When the storms of life are raging" (Refuge in God). Another, "'Tis Jesus when the burdened heart" (Jesus, the Sinner's Friend), is in the Sunday School Union Voice of Praise, 1887. Miss Servoss was born at Schenectady, near New York. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)  Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: He spake in the cloudy pillar
Title: He Spake in the Cloudy Pillar
Author: Mary E. Servoss
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Instances in all hymnals

Instances (1 - 2 of 2)
Page Scan

Golden Rays #114

TextAudioPage Scan

The Helper in Sacred Song #36

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us
It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. Ad revenue helps keep us running. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or getting Hymnary Pro to eliminate ads entirely and help support Hymnary.org.