What did the Psalmist desire he might know,
Seeing his days were all measured below?
What did the angel, on earth and on sea,
Swear by the Lord there no longer should be?
What is that life the Apostle sets forth,
God’s gift through Christ, and of infinite worth?
What for the people of God doth remain?
Seeking it here, we shall seek it in vain.
What is it cometh in darkness to stay;
Work, while the foolish alone will delay?
What though the Gospel hath Christ to light brought,
Victory o’er death, as by Paul we are taught?
What midst earth’s changes will ever endure,
Steadfast through all generations and sure?
When is the time our Creator to seek,
Heeding the hope which His promises speak?
Join the initials, a word we discern;
Marking its import, a lesson we learn:
Passing away from the changeful below;
Ask we where is it our spirits will go?
The High and the Lofty One knoweth the same,
Where He inhabiteth—Holy His name!
This is the whither our souls take their flight;
Oh, may we find it not darkness, but light!