  Sweet hymns and songs will I indite To sing of Thee by day and night, Of Thee, Who art my soul's delight. How doth my soul within me yearn Beneath Thy shadow to return, Thy secret mysteries to learn. And even while yet Thy glory fires My words, and hymns of praise inspires, Thy love it is my heart desires. Therefore I will of Thee relate All glorious things, and celebrate In songs of love Thy name most great. Thy glory shall my discourse be, In images I picture Thee, Although Thyself I cannot see. In mystic utterances alone, By prophet and by seer made known, Hast Thou Thy radiant glory shown. Thy might and greatness they portrayed, According to the power displayed In all the works Thy hand has made. In images of Thee they told Of Thy great wonders wrought of old, Thy essence they could not behold. In signs and visions seen of yore They pictured Thee in ancient lore, But Thou art One for evermore. They saw in Thee both youth and age, The man of war, the hoary sage, But ever Israel's heritage. O Thou Whose word is truth alway Thy people seek Thy face this day, Oh! be Thou near them when they pray. May these, my songs and musings, be Acceptable, O Lord, to Thee, And do Thou hear them graciously. Oh! let my praises, heavenward sped, Be as a crown unto Thy head, My prayer as incense offered. Oh! may my words of blessing rise To Thee, Who, throned above the skies, Art just and mighty, great and wise. And when Thy glory I declare, Do Thou incline Thee to my prayer, As though sweet spice my offering were. My meditation day and night May it be pleasant in Thy sight, For Thou art all my soul's delight. |
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