Christ in His Word draws near;
Hush, moaning voice of fear,
He bids thee cease;
With songs sincere and sweet
Let us arise, and meet
Him Who comes forth to greet
Our souls with peace.

Rising above thy care,
Meet Him as in the air,
O weary heart;
Put on joy’s sacred dress;
Lo, as He comes to bless,
Quite from thy weariness
Set free thou art.

For works of love and praise
He brings thee summer days,
Warm days and bright;
Winter is past and gone,
Now He, salvation’s Sun,
Shineth on every one
With mercy’s light.

From the bright sky above,
Clad in His robes of love,
’Tis He, our Lord!
Dim earth itself grows clear
As His light draweth near;
O let us hush and hear
His holy Word.

Give me the Bible, star of gladness gleaming,
To cheer the wand’rer lone and tempest tossed;
No storm can hide that radiance peaceful beaming,
Since Jesus came to seek and save the lost.

Refrain

Give me the Bible, holy message shining;
Thy light shall guide me in the narrow way;
Precept and promise, law and love combining,
Till night shall vanish in eternal day.

Give me the Bible, when my heart is broken,
When sin and grief have filled my soul with fear;
Give me the precious words by Jesus spoken,
Hold up faith’s lamp to show my Savior near.

Refrain

Give me the Bible, all my steps enlighten,
Teach me the danger of these realms below;
That lamp of safety o’er the gloom shall brighten,
That light alone the path of peace can show.

Refrain

Give me the Bible, lamp of life immortal,
Hold up that splendor by the open grave;
Show me the light from Heaven’s shining portal,
Show me the glory gilding Jordan’s wave.

Refrain

The Voice of God’s Creation found me
Perplexed midst hope and fear,
For though His sunshine flashed around me,
His storms at times drew near:
And I said—
Oh! that I knew where He abideth!
For doubts beset our lot,
And lo! His glorious face He hideth,
And men perceive it not!

The Voice of God’s Protection told me
He loveth all He made;
I seemed to feel His arms enfold me,
And yet was half afraid:
And I said—
Oh! that I knew where I might find Him!
His eye would guide me right:
He leaveth countless tracks behind Him,
Yet passeth out of sight.

The Voice of Conscience sounded nearer,
It stirred my inmost breast;
But though its tones were firmer, clearer,
’Twas not the voice of rest:
And I said—
Oh! that I knew if He forgiveth!
My soul is faint within,
Because in grievous fear it liveth
Of wages due to sin.

It was the Voice of Revelation
That met my utmost need;
The wondrous message of salvation
Was joy and peace indeed:
And I said—
Oh! how I love the sacred pages
From which such tidings flow,
As monarchs, patriarchs, poets, sages,
Have longed in vain to know!

For now is life a lucid story,
And death a rest in Him,
And all is bathed in light and glory
That once was dark or dim:
And I said—
O Thou Who dost my soul deliver,
And all its hopes uplift;
Give me a tongue praise the Giver,
A heart to prize the gift.