How sweet the hope of seeing
Thee, Jesus, face to face;
And sweet the thought of being
In yonder heavenly place,
This hope lights up the pathway,
Though wearily we roam,
That soon, beyond the desert,
We’ll be with Thee at home.
Ah! deep indeed the longing
Which often we express:
And deeper still the throbbings
Our anxious hearts which press.
But oh! Thy heart, Lord Jesus,
With deeper longings press’d,
Would have us in the glory,
With Thee forever blest.
Though bright the expectation
Of that soon coming day,
The brighter realization
Shall make Hope fade away.
Then gazing on Thy beauty,
And listening to Thy voice,
There, hearts so often heavy
Forever will rejoice!
For oh! the happy moment
When we shall hear Thee say
“Rise up, my love, my fair one,
Rise up and come away.”
How then shall all our voices
Contribute to Thy praise,
And swell the heavenly music
Which ransomed hearts shall raise.
Oh! yes, the Hope that cheers us,
And now appears so bright,
Will fade as stars of evening
Before the morning’s light.
For then, Lord, we shall see Thee,
Whom seeing not we love;
Then, Lord, we shall be with Thee,
In glory bright above.
J.W.T.