Retirement and Meditation

Verse 1

Far from the world, O Lord, I flee, From strife and tumult far; From scenes where Satan wages still His most successful war.

Verse 2

The calm retreat, the silent shade, With prayer and praise agree; And seem by Thy sweet bounty made For those who follow Thee.

Verse 3

There, if Thy Spirit touch the soul, And grace her mean abode, O with what peace, and joy, and love, She communes with her God!

Verse 4

There, like the nightingale, she pours Her solitary lays; Nor asks a witness of her song, Nor thirsts for human praise.

Verse 5

Author and Guardian of my life, Sweet Source of light divine, And, all harmonious names in one, My Saviour,--Thou art mine!

Verse 6

What thanks I owe Thee, and what love, A boundless, endless store, Shall echo through the realms above When time shall be no more!