THOU Breath from still eternity
Breathe o'er my spirit's barren land—
The pine-tree and the myrtle-tree
Shall spring amidst the desert sand;
And where Thy living water flows
The waste shall blossom as the rose.
May I in will and deed and word
Obey Thee as a little child;
And keep me in Thy love, my Lord,
For ever holy, undefiled;
Within me teach, and strive, and pray,
Lest I should choose my own wild way.
O Spirit, Stream that by the Son
Is opened to us crystal pure,
Forth flowing from the heavenly Throne
To waiting hearts and spirits poor,
Athirst and weary do I sink
Beside Thy waters, there to drink.
My spirit turns to Thee and clings,
All else forsaking, unto Thee;
Forgetting all created things,
Remembering only "God in me.”
O living Stream; O gracious rain,
None wait for Thee, and wait in vain.
G. Ter Steegen, † 1769.