1 O Thou, in whose presence my soul takes delight,
on whom in affliction I call;
my comfort by day, and my song in the night,
my hope, my salvation, my all.
2 Where dost Thou, dear Shepherd, resort with Thy sheep,
to feed them in pastures of love?
Say, why in the valley of death should I weep,
or alone in this wilderness rove?
3 O why should I wander an alien from Thee,
or cry in the desert for bread?
Thy foes will rejoice, when my sorrows they see,
and smile at the tears I have shed.
4 He looks, and ten thousands of angels rejoice,
and myriads wait for His word;
He speaks and eternity, filled with His voice,
re-echoes the praise of the Lord.
5 Dear Shepherd! I hear, and will follow Thy call;
I know the sweet sound of Thy voice;
restore and defend me, for Thou art my All,
And in Thee I will ever rejoice.
Source: Psalms and Hymns to the Living God #414
Swain, Joseph, was born at Birmingham in 1761, and after being apprenticed to an engraver, removed to London. After a time he became a decided Christian, and being of an emotional poetic temperament, began to give expression to his new thoughts and feelings in hymns. In 1783 he was baptized by the Rev. Dr. Rippon, and in 1791 became minister of a Baptist congregation in East Street, Walworth. After a short but popular and very useful ministry, he died April 16, 1796 Swain published the following:—
(1) A Collection of Poems on Several Occasions, London, 1781; (2) Redemption, a Poem in five Books, London, 1789; (3) Experimental Essays on Divine Subjects, London, 1791; (4) Walworth Hymns, by J. Swain, Pastor of the Baptist Church Meeting… Go to person page >
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