Author: Steele Hymnal: A Selection of Hymns #DXXXVII (1792) Meter: 8.6.8.6 Topics: Presence of God desired in Affliction; Presence of God desired in sickness First Line: Thou only center of my rest Lyrics: 1 Thou only center of my rest,
Look down with pitying eye;
While with protracted pain opprest
I breathe the plaintive sigh.
2 Thy gracious presence O my God,
My every wish contains,
With this, beneath affliction's load,
My heart no more complains.
3 This can my every care control,
Gild each dark scene with light;
This is the sunshine of the soul,
Without it all is night.
4 My Lord, my life, O cheer my heart
With thy reviving ray,
And bid these mournful shades depart,
And bring the dawn of day!
5 O happy scenes of pure delight!
Where thy full beams impart
Unclouded beauty to the sight,
And rapture to the heart.
6 Her part in those fair realms of bliss,
My spirit longs to know;
My wishes terminate in this,
Nor can they rest below.
7 Lord, shall the breathings of my heart
Aspire in vain to thee?
Confirm my hope, that where thou art,
I shall for ever be.
8 Then shall my cheerful spirits sing
The darksome hours away,
And rise on faith's expanded wing
To everlasting day. Languages: English
Desiring the Presence of God in Affliction