WHERE shall I go, my Lord, from Thee?
Where shall my weary heart remove?
How can I brave life's stormy sea,
Unless protected by Thy love?
When fierce temptations round me rise,
And clouds obscure the threat'ning skies,
Who else can bid the tempests cease,
And guide me to the port of peace?
Where could I go? No living streams
Can earth's drear wilderness supply:
Afar from Thee no heavenly beams
Of hope can reach my tear-dimmed eye;
Hungry, the Bread of Life I want,
Thirsty, for living waters pant;
Naked and blind, and poor, and weak,
Where else can I for succor seek?
Where shall I go, if not to Thee,
When death's dark, angry billows roll?
How can I hope for victory,
Unless Thy staff support my soul?
How can I e'er th' accuser meet,
Or venture near the mercy-seat,
Save by that precious blood alone,
Which did for all my sins atone?
But lest this frail, inconstant heart
Should e'er to others look or flee,
Oh, never, Lord, from me depart,
But draw, and keep me close to Thee:
Without Thee, what were earthly gain?
But with Thee, welcome loss and pain;
Thyself my shield and portion be,
Through time, and in eternity.