“My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved;
and I will meditate in thy statutes.” Psalm 119:48
1. How painfully pleasing the fond recollection
Of youthful connections and innocent joy,
While blessed with parental advice and affection,
Surrounded by mercy and peace from on high;
I still view the chairs of my father and mother,
The seats of their offspring arranged on each hand,
And the richest of books, which excels every other–
The family Bible that lay on the stand.
2. Blest Bible, the volume of God’s inspiration,
At morning and evening could yield us delight;
The prayer of our sire was a sweet invocation,
For mercy by day and for safety by night.
Our hymns of thanksgiving with harmony swelling,
All warm from the hearts of the family band,
Half raised us from earth to that rapturous dwelling,
Described in the Bible that lay on the stand.
3. Ye scenes of enjoyment, long have we been parted,
My hopes almost gone, and my parents no more;
In sorrow and sadness I live broken-hearted,
And wander alone on a far distant shore;
But why should I doubt a dear Saviour’s protection,
Forgetful of gifts from His bountiful hand?
O let me with patience receive His correction,
And think of the Bible that lay on the stand.
4. Blest Bible! the light and the guide of the stranger,
With thee I seem circled by parents and friends;
Thy kind admonitions shall shield me from danger;
On thee my last lingering hope now depends.
Hope wakens to vigor, and brightens to glory;
I’ll hasten and flee to the promised land,
For refuge lay hold on the hope set before me,
Revealed in the Bible that lay on the stand.
5. Though age and misfortune press hard on my feelings,
I’ll flee to the Bible, and trust in the Lord;
Tho’ darkness should cover his merciful dealings,
My soul is still cheered by his heavenly word.
And now from things earthly my soul is removing
I soon shall shout glory with heaven’s bright band,
And in rapture of joy be forever adoring
The God of the Bible that lay on the stand.
Playback
Songbook of the Conquering Christian (forerunner of Song in the Night): page 55
Author: Unknown
Composer: Unknown
Source: The Hesperian Harp, p. 310–311
Time: 1:46
