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!
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 this wilderness rove?
To feed them in pastures of love;
Say, why in the valley of death should I weep,
Or alone in this wilderness rove?
3
Oh, 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.
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.
The Star that on Israel shone?
Say, if in your tents my Beloved has been,
And where with His flocks He is gone.
5
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.
I know the sweet sound of Thy voice;
Restore and defend me, for Thou art my all,
And in Thee I'll ever rejoice.
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Where can I get the lyrics and shaped notes for this song?
Winslow, Arizona, United States
Lovely!
Everett, WA, United States
I was introduced to this song when we sang it in our Simpson Bible College (San Francisco) choir in 1964-5 -- now Simpson Univ, Redding, CA.
Beyond the great memories, is the greater truth of His promised, abiding presence.
"Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth... as for me, how good it is to be near God!" (Ps. 73:25, 28a nlt)
Amazingly, He desires us far more than we could ever desire Him. What a great God!
Brooklyn, New York, United States
This hymn has so much meaning to me. It was sung in our home growing up. My mother's favorite hymn and became the family's favorite. It was sung at my sister's funeral who died exactly 7 months ago today. I woke up this morning singing this hymn not even realizing it was the seven month anniversary of her death until I started writing the comment. This song is so comforting. Let us bask in the blessings of the Lord.
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled.
La Porte, TX, United States
As a child growing up in the Caribbean Islands my churh choir sang this song so beautifully. The tune was so soothing even though I did not understand the meaning of the lyrics. I woke up one morning and the Lord just laid this song on my heart. As I listened to it over and over again it brought tears of joy to my heart knowing that the Lord was our Shepherd then and is still our Shepherd now, and His voice has never changed.
United States
Brother Arthur in the comment below added 3 more stanzas, a line impressed me;
"And bask in the smiles of His face."
The Merriam-Webster's definition for "Bask" is "to lie or relax in a pleasant warmth or atmosphere, to take pleasure or derive enjoyment."
O Our Lord Jesus is our pleasant warmth and our pleasant atmosphere, we take pleasure in the smiles of His face, we derive enjoyment from this Most Precious Person!
Other synonyms are rest, kick back, loll, lounge, relax, repose.
Miami, Florida, United States
I've been going through lately; and all I could remember was the very first stanza. I learned over 50 years ago as a youth choir member and a very active child in the church. It speaks peace to my soul and spirit. I love all the old hymns; they are soothing. Some may say we need something different; but, I tend not to agree.
Sterling, MA, United States
This is one of my all time favorites. There are other stanzas to this song equally beautiful and rich in the love of Christ.
1) His voice, as the sound of the dulcimer sweet
Is heard through the shadows of death;
The cedars of Lebanon bow at His feet,
The air is perfumed with His breath.
2) His lips, as a fountain of righteousness flow,
To water the gardens of grace;
From which their salvation the Gentiles shall know,
And bask in the smiles of His face.
3) He looks and ten thousands of angels rejoice,
And myriads wait for His word;
He speaks and eternity, filled with His voice,
Reechoes the praise of the Lord.
All the verses that would fill all the books ever written, couldn't do justice or describe the love and of God.
Binghamton, NY, United States
This hymn has great meaning for me, from my youth. I would use it more in worship, but variety is needed.
I love this particular score with the minor notes adding to its beauty.