1 There is joy in desert places,
Through the blessed gospel light,
That Jesus sheds upon us,
From His throne of royal might;
And our weary hearts are gladdened,
No more sorrow, pain or woes;
For He makes our desert life “rejoice,
And blossom as the rose.”
Refrain:
Rejoice! rejoice! in solitary places:
Rejoice! rejoice! in triumph o’er thy foes!
For the gospel light will shine through smiling faces,
When the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.
2 To the worn and weary trav’ler,
In the lone and desert way;
Comes the promise ever faithful,
Thou shall rest at close of day.
There is blessed hope in Jesus,
While salvation’s river flows;
He will make our desert life “rejoice,
And blossom as the rose.” [Refrain]
3 When the ransomed of the Lord shall come,
A vast triumphant throng;
And return to Zion singing,
We will join the Victor’s song.
Then life’s desert will be ended
By the crystal river bright,
And the rose will bloom forever there,
In Heaven’s holy light. [Refrain]
Source: Hymns of the Kingdom: for use in religious meetings #90