Hymnal: A Selection of Christian Hymns
Date: 1818
Compiler: Rice Haggard
Publisher/Printer: John Norvell
First Line: When in the light of faith divine
Topic: Trusting in the Promises of God
Writer: <no first name given> <no last name given>
Composer:
Meter: CM
Tune:
Hymn Number: 62
Page Number: 063, click to see hymnal pages
LyicsWhen in the light of faith divine,
The heavenly worlds appear,
A glory thro' the gospel shines,
And brings the promise near.
This pleasing light fills up the sight,
Nor aught besides is seen,
No cloudy days nor thorny maze
Appear to intervene.
In such a light we often see
The spreading gospel run,
And thousands flocking home to Christ,
Before the work's begun.
And thus believing, we rejoice,
The vision's truly sweet;
But e'er the promise is fulfilled,
What trials do we meet.
Thus Joseph, in a nightly dream,
With dignity was crowned;
But e'er the vision was fulfilled,
Behold him stripped and bound.
Thus Abraham saw the promised seed,
Like sand upon the shore;
Believing souls filled up his view,
Till he could count no more.
In steadfast faith he quit the stage,
And Isaac filled his place;
A faithful God from age to age,
Calls in the heirs of grace.
What God reveals is always sure,
His promise cannot fail;
Our anchor, hope may rest secure,
On that within the vail.
Let tempests rise, we'll bear the shock,
Let storms enrage the deep,
They cannot move our precious rock,
Whose promise is to keep.
Thick darkness may o'erspread the sphere
As changing time rolls round:
The heavenly vision disappear,
The joyful sun go down;
By faith we grasp the living word,
And bid the tempter flee;
And learn to trust a faithful God,
Even when we cannot see,
Thro' tribulation and distress,
With joy we'll persevere:
By faith and patience we'll possess
What does not yet appear.
We stand in our forefathers' stead,
With them we'll seize the prize,
And thousands in our steps shall tread,
And meet us in the skies.