Poems (Toke)/Psalm XXVII

by Emma Toke

PSALM XXVII.

OD is to me a gladdening light,
 A help when none is near;
The Lord is still my strength and life,
 Say, whom then shall I fear?
Oh yes, When they who hate me strove
 To sink my soul in hell,
Thy guardian hand was there to save,
 And smote by Thee they fell.

Yea, though my foes encompass round,
 My heart at peace shall be;
Though troubles rise on every side,
 Yet I will trust in Thee.
One thing alone I ask the Lord,
 In His loved courts to dwell;
To pass my days in serving Him,
 And see His beauty still.

Then when the hour of trouble comes,
 His hand shall hold me fast,
And hide me in His secret fane,
 Till every danger's past.
He will then be a rock to me,
 And raise my head again,
And I will pour my soul in prayer,
 And bless and praise Him then.

Hear me, my God, to Thee I cry,
 And when I hear that word,
"Seek ye My face," my heart replies,
 "Thy face I'll seek, O Lord."
Return, return! oh, be not wrath,
 For Thou my help hast been;
Forsake me not, nor leave me now,
 Till I Thy face have seen.

When father, mother, all forsake,
 Then Thou, Lord, wilt uphold;
Teach me Thy way, make plain my path,
 And lead me to Thy fold.
Oh'! did I not hope still to see
 Thy goodness here below,
Long since my fainting soul had sunk,
 Oppressed with care and woe.

Wait on the Lord! oh, wait, I say,
 His righteous, holy will
Then He will prove thy strength and shield,
 And guard and guide thee still.

E.

October 6, 1833.