The Bible

BLESSED Bible! how I love it!

How it doth my bosom cheer!

What hath earth like this to covet?

O, what stores of wealth are here!

Man was lost and doomed to sorrow;

Not one ray of light or bliss

Could he from earth’s treasures borrow,

’Till his way was cheered by this?

Yes, I’ll to my bosom press thee,

Precious Word, I’ll hide thee here;

Sure my very heart will bless thee,

For thou ever sayest “good cheer”:

Speak, my heart, and tell thy ponderings,

Tell how far thy rovings led,

When This Book brought back thy wanderings,

Speaking life as from the dead.

Yes, sweet Bible! I will hide thee

Deep, yes, deeper in this heart;

Thou, through all my life will guide me,

And in death we will not part.

Part in death? No! never! never!

Through death’s vale I’ll lean on thee;

Then, in worlds above, for ever,

Sweeter still thy truths shall be!