Desiring the Presence of God

Hear, gracious God, my humble moan,
To thee I breathe my sighs,
When will the mournful night be gone?
And when my joys arise?

My God— O could I make the claim——
My father and my friend— «
And call thee mine, by ev'ry name,
On which thy saints depend!

By ev'ry name of pow'r and love,
I would thy grace entreat;
Nor should my humble hopes remove,
Nor leave thy sacred seat.

Yet though my soul in darkness mourns,
Thy word is all my stay;
Here I would rest till light returns,
Thy presence makes my day.

Speak, Lord, and bid celestial peace
Relieve my aching heart;
O smile, and bid my sorrows cease,
And all the gloom depart. "

Then shall my drooping spirit rise,
And bless thy healing rays,
And change these deep complaining sighs,
For songs of sacred praise.