Hymnal: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs
Date: 1843
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: 8 and 7
Tune: Bartimeus
Hymn Number: Song 140 (part I)
Page Number: 211 (part I), 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 flow'ry fields of pleasure,
And the hills of endless rest,
Joy, and peace, and love, shall ever
Reign and triumph in your breast:
There ten thousand flaming seraphs
Fly across the heav'nly 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 forever
Sound redemption through the sky?
See the heav'nly host in rapture,
Gazing on these shining bands;
Wond'ring at their costly garments,
And the laurels in their hands;
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 the 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!