Blessed be Thou for
all the joy
My soul has felt to-day!
Oh, let its memory stay
with me,
And never pass away!
I was alone, for those I
loved
Were far away from me;
The sun shone on the withered
grass,
The wind blew fresh and
free.
Was it the smile of early
spring
That made my bosom glow?
'Twas sweet; but neither
sun nor wind
Could cheer my spirit so.
Was it some feeling of delight
All vague and undefined?
No; 'twas a rapture deep
and strong,
Expanding in the mind.
Was it a sanguine view of
life,
And all its transient bliss,
A hope of bright prosperity?
Oh, no! it was not this.
It was a glimpse of truth
divine
Unto my spirit given,
Illumined by a ray of light
That shone direct from heaven.
I felt there was a God on
high,
By whom all things were
made;
I saw His wisdom and His
power
In all his works displayed.
But most throughout the moral
world,
I saw his glory shine;
I saw His wisdom infinite,
His mercy all divine.
Deep secrets of His providence,
In darkness long concealed,
Unto the vision of my soul
Were graciously revealed.
But while I wondered and
adored
His Majesty divine,
I did not tremble at His
power:
I felt that God was mine;
I knew that my Redeemer lived;
I did not fear to die;
Full sure that I should
rise again
To immortality.
I longed to view that bliss
divine,
Which eye hath never seen;
Like Moses, I would see
His face
Without the veil between.
