Scripture Verse

He that believeth on Me, as the scripture hath said, from within him shall flow rivers of living water. John 7:38

Introduction

Words: Fran­cis P. Ap­ple­ton, in A Book of Hymns for Pub­lic and Pri­vate De­vo­tion, by Sam­uel Long­fel­low, 10th edi­tion (Bos­ton, Mas­sa­chu­setts: Tick­nor & Fields, 1848).

Music: Pley­el’s Hymn Ig­naz J. Pley­el, 1791 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Ap­ple­ton (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Ignaz J. Pleyel (1757–1831)

Lyrics

Thirsting for a liv­ing spring,
Seeking for a high­er home,
Resting where our souls must cling,
Trusting, hop­ing, Lord, we come.

Glorious hopes our spir­it fill,
When we feel that Thou art near:
Father! then our fears are still,
Then the soul’s bright end is clear.

Life’s hard con­flict we would win,
Read the mean­ing of life’s frown;
Change the thorn-bound wreath of sin
For the spir­it’s star­ry crown.

Make us beau­ti­ful with­in
By Thy Spir­it’s ho­ly light:
Guard us when our faith burns dim,
Father of all love and might!