1 In sweet communion, Lord, with you
I constantly abide;
my hand you hold within your own
to keep me near your side.

2 Your counsel through my earthly way
shall guide me and control,
and then to glory afterward
you will receive my soul.

3 Whom have I, Lord, in heaven but you,
to whom my thoughts aspire?
And, having you, what more on earth
is there I can desire?

4 Though flesh and heart should faint and fail,
the Lord will ever be
the strength and portion of my heart,
my God eternally.

5 To live apart from God is death;
'tis good his face to seek.
My refuge is the living God;
his praise I long to speak.

Scripture References:
st. 1 = Ps. 73:23
st. 2 = Ps. 73:24
st. 3 = Ps. 73:25
st. 4 = Ps. 73:26
st. 5 = Ps. 73:27-28

This text is a paraphrase of the final segment of a wisdom psalm, Psalm 73:23-28 (for general comments on this psalm see PHH 73). The versification of the text (usually one biblical verse per stanza) is a revision of that found in the 1912 Psalter.

"In Sweet Communion" sets forth the joy of walking closely with God (st. 1 and 5), following his directives (st. 2), shunning earthly distractions (st. 3), and experiencing his comfort and power. The final stanza proclaims the wisdom theme of the psalm: "To live apart from God is death; 'tis good his face to seek."

Liturgical Use:
Worship that focuses on the teaching "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook