Religion

Fourth Sunday in Advent

by John S. B. Monsell 1811–1875

From Hymns of Love and Praise (1866)

Religion

Let others in their wealth delight,
And glory in their pride,
Exalt their wisdom, boast their might.
And in their strength confide;
But I will in the Lord rejoice,
His be my heart, and His my voice!

Let others down the paths of life
In heedless mirth pass on.
Grasp all its joys, shun all its strife.
And live for self alone;
But I will in the Lord rejoice,
His be my heart, and His my voice!

With rising morn, His glorious Name,
With setting eve, His Praise,
My life shall earnestly proclaim
Through all its works and ways;
In Him alone will I rejoice,
With harp and lute, with heart and Voice.

I'll watch for His returning light,
And, when I praise or pray.
My thoughts shall be of waning night,
My dreams of dawning day;
Always in Him will I rejoice.
His be my heart, and His my Voice!

And thus while running life's long race.
Though let and hinder'd sore.
His mercy and His bounteous grace
Will help me evermore;
Who doth in Him alone rejoice.
Shall have light heart, and cheerful Voice.

Happy! earth's vanities to miss.
Its dangers to withstand.
The secret of my gladness this.
My Saviour is at hand!
Soon in His presence Til rejoice
With sinless heart and ceaseless voice!

✦ ✦ ✦

Text: Be glad, O ye righteous, and rejoice in the Lord : and be joyful, all ye that are true of heart. — Ps. xxxii. 12.

MLA

Monsell, John S. B. “Fourth Sunday in Advent.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/monsell/98/.

Chicago

Monsell, John S. B. “Fourth Sunday in Advent.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/monsell/98/.

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