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| SWEET hymns and songs will I indite | |
| To sing of Thee by day and night, | |
| Of Thee, who art my soul’s delight. | |
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| How doth my soul within me yearn | |
| Beneath Thy shadow to return, | 5 |
| Thy sacred mysteries to learn. | |
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| And even while yet Thy glory fires | |
| My words, and hymns of praise inspires, | |
| Thy love it is my heart desires. | |
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| Therefore will I of Thee relate | 10 |
| All glorious things, and celebrate | |
| In songs of love Thy name most great. | |
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| Thy glory shall my discourse be, | |
| In images I picture Thee, | |
| Although Thyself I cannot see. | 15 |
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| In mystic utterances alone | |
| By prophet and by seer made known, | |
| Hast Thy radiant glory shown. | |
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| Thy might and greatness they portrayed | |
| According to the power displayed, | 20 |
| In all the works Thy hand has made. | |
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| In images of Thee they told | |
| Of Thy great wonders wrought of old, | |
| Thy essence could they not behold. | |
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| In signs and visions seen of yore | 25 |
| They pictured Thee in ancient lore, | |
| But Thou art One for evermore. | |
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| They saw in Thee both youth and age, | |
| The man of war, the hoary sage, | |
| But ever Israel’s heritage. | 30 |
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| O Thou whose word is truth alway, | |
| Thy people seek Thy face this day, | |
| O be Thou near them when they pray. | |
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| May these, my songs and musings, be | |
| Acceptable, O Lord, to Thee | 35 |
| And do Thou hear them graciously. | |
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| O let my praises heavenward sped, | |
| Be as a crown unto Thy head. | |
| My prayer as incense offeréd! | |
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| O may my words of blessings rise | 40 |
| To Thee, who throned above the skies, | |
| Art just and mighty, great and wise! | |
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| And when Thy glory I declare | |
| Do Thou incline Thee to my prayer, | |
| As though sweet spice my offering were. | 45 |
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| My meditation day and night | |
| May it be pleasant in Thy sight, | |
| For Thou art all my soul’s delight. | |
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