Scripture Verse

I wait for the Lord. Psalm 130:5

Introduction

portrait
Fanny Crosby (1820–1915)

Words: Fan­ny Cros­by, in Songs of the Cen­tu­ry, ed­it­ed by George D. El­der­kin, John Swe­ney & Will­iam J. Kirk­patrick (Chi­ca­go, Il­li­nois: George D. El­der­kin, 1900).

Music: John R. Swe­ney (🔊 pdf nwc).

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John R. Sweney (1837–1899)

Lyrics

Deep and deeper fell the shadows,
Nearer seemed the golden strand,
And my trusting heart was waiting,
Passive in my Sav­ior’s hands;
O how brightly o’er my spirit
Came a radiance from afar,
Like the blush of early morning,
Like the rising of a star.

Refrain

I was waiting, calmly waiting,
Not a fear was in my breast;
I had trusted my Re­deem­er,
And in Him was now my rest.

Nearer seemed the shining portals,
But the Mas­ter said to me,
There are sheaves that must be garnered
Ere the reaping dawns for thee;
Yet I know that thou wert weary,
And I bade thy heart repose
By a healing stream that murmurs
Where the Rose of Sharon grows.

Refrain

In the silent hours of midnight,
When my waking thoughts take wings,
O the tranquil peace He gives me,
And the hallowed songs He brings!
He has crowned me with His blessing,
And I now by faith can say,
I am going forth with vigor,
Still rejoicing on my way.

Refrain