God's Presence With His People

Verse 1

When Israel, of the Lord beloved, Out from the land of bondage came, Her fathers' God before her moved, An awful guide, in smoke and flame.

Verse 2

By day, along the astonished lands The cloudy pillar glided slow; By night, Arabia's crimsoned sands Returned the fiery column's glow.

Verse 3

Thus present still, though now unseen, When brightly shines the prosperous day, Be thoughts of Thee a cloudy screen To temper the deceitful ray.

Verse 4

And O, when gathers on our path, In shade and storm, the frequent night, Be Thou, long-suffering, slow to wrath, A burning and a shining light!