Scripture Verse

Whom have I in Heaven but Thee? Psalm 73:25

Introduction

Words: Eli­za Scud­der, in the Qui­et Hours (Bos­ton, Mas­sa­chu­setts: 1875).

Music: St. Sav­iour (Barn­by) Jo­seph Barn­by (1838–1896) (🔊 pdf nwc).

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

portrait
Joseph Barnby (1838–1896)

Lyrics

Thou life with­in my life, than self more near,
Thou veil­èd pre­sence in­fin­ite­ly clear,
From all il­lus­ive shows of sense I flee,
To find my cen­ter and my rest in Thee.

Below all depths Thy sav­ing mer­cy lies,
Through thick­est gloom I see Thy light arise,
Above the high­est hea­ven Thou art not found
More sure­ly than with­in this earth­ly round.

Take part with me against those doubts that rise
And seek to throne Thee far in dist­ant skies!
Take part with me against this self that dares
Assume the bur­den of these sins and cares!

How can I call Thee who art al­ways here,
How shall I praise Thee who art still most dear,
What may I give Thee save what Thou hast giv­en,
And whom but Thee have I in earth or Hea­ven?