The Love of Christ Exciting Thankful Devotion

O DEARER to my thankful heart
Than all the circling sun surveys!
Thy presence only can impart
Light, peace, and gladness to my days.

Beneath thy soul-reviving ray,
Ev'n cold affliction's wintery gloom
Shall brighten into vernal day,
And hopes and joys immortal bloom.

Vain world, be gone with all thy toys;
I have no room for trifles here:
My heart aspires to nobler joys;
Thy fairest glories disappear.

Bright realms of bliss, where Jesus reigns,
My wish, my care, my hope invite:
Where raptur'd seraphs tune their strains
To themes of infinite delight.

See, Lord, thy willing subject bows
Adoring low before thy throne:
To thee, I gladly pay my vows;
Thou art my sovereign, thou alone.

Smile on my soul, and bid me sing,
In concert with the choir above,
The glories of my Saviour King,
The condescensions of his love.

Amazing love! that stoop'd so low,
To view with pity's melting eye
A wretch deserving endless woe!
Amazing love! — did Jesus die? —

He died, to raise to life and joy
The vile, the guilty, the undone,
O let his praise my hours employ,
Till hours no more their circles run!

He died! — ye seraphs tune your songs,
Resound, resound the Saviour's name;
For nought below immortal tongues
Can ever reach the wonderous theme.