Saturday Poetry Corner: Still, Still With Thee

 

"How precious and weighty also are Your thought to me, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!  If I could count them, they would be
more in number than the sand.  When I awoke, could I count
 to the end, I would still be with You."
(Psalm 139: 17-18)

Dawn At Barnegat Lighthouse

Barnegat Lighthouse State Park

Long Beach Island, New Jersey

Photograph by Mark Miller

Image courtesy/Fine Art America

Still, still with Thee, when purple morning breaketh,

When the bird waketh, and the shadows flee;

Fairer than morning, lovelier than daylight,

Dawns the sweet consciousness I am with Thee.

Alone with Thee; amid the mystic shadows,

The solemn hush of nature newly born;

Alone with Thee in breathless adoration,

In the calm dew and freshness of the morn.

Still, still with Thee! As to each newborn morning

A fresh and solemn splendor still is given,

So does this blessed consciousness, awakening,

Breathe each day nearness unto Thee and heaven.


When sinks the soul, subdued by toil, to slumber,

Its closing eyes look up to Thee in prayer;

Sweet the repose beneath Thy wings o'er-shading

But sweeter still, to wake and find Thee there.

So shall it be at last, in that bright morning,

When the soul waketh, and life's shadows flee;

O, in that hour, fairer than daylight dawning,

Shall rise the glorious thought, I am with Thee.

Amen.

"Still, Still, With Thee"
(1855)
Harriet Beecher Stowe
(1812-1896)
American writer and abolitionist 
Author of the classic American novel,
"Uncle Tom's Cabin"