Hymnal: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs
Date: 1834
Compiler: A Campbell/ W Scott/ B W Stone/ J T Johnson
Publisher/Printer: A Campbell
First Line: Dark and thorny is the desert
Topic: <no topic given>
Writer: <no first name given> <no last name given>
Composer:
Meter: PM
Tune:
Hymn Number: Song 140
Page Number: 211, click to see hymnal pages
LyicsDark and thorny is the desert,
Through which pilgrims make their way;
But beyond this vale of sorrow,
Lie the realms of endless day.
Dear young soldiers, do not murmur
At the troubles of the way;
Meet the tempest-fight with courage;
Never faint, but often pray.
He whose thunder shakes creation;
He that bids the planets roll;
He that rides upon the tempest,
And whose sceptre sways the whole-
Jesus, Jesus, will defend you;
Trust in him and him alone;
He has shed his blood to save you,
And will bring you to his throne.
There on flowery fields of pleasure,
And the hills of endless rest,
Joy, and peace, and love, shall ever
Reign and triumph in your breast:
There a million flaming seraphs
Fly across the heavenly plain;
There they sing immortal praises-
Glory, glory, is their theme.
But, methinks, a sweeter concert
Makes the crystal arches ring,
And a song is heard in Zion,
Which the angels cannot sing:
Who can paint those sons of glory,
Ransom'd souls that dwell on high,
Who, with golden harps, for ever
Sound redemption through the sky?
See the heavenly host in rapture
Gazing on this shining band;
Wondering at their costly garments,
And the laurels in thier hand:
There, upon the golden pavement,
See the ransom'd march along!
While the splendid courts of glory
Sweetly echo with their song!
Here I see the under shepherds,
And their flocks they fed below!
Here, with joy, they dwell together,
Jesus is their Shepherd now.
Hail! you happy, happy spirits!
Welcome to the blissful plain-
Glory, honor, and salvation;
Reign, sweet Shepherd, ever reign.