Hymn Divine Presence 448

The juxtaposition of prostration and adoration we have noted in other hymns

448 Imploring the Divine Presence

CLOUDS and darkness interposing, Keep the Saviour from my sight, Wonted joys and pleasures closing, Lord, again restore the light: Scatter thou the storms o’erspreading, And thy lovely face reveal; Oh regard my humble pleading, Nor thy presence hence conceal.

2 Deign to shine with beams resplendent, Fill my heart with sacred joy, All my labouring thoughts employ: I will then in low prostration, At thy sacred footstool fall, And in songs of adoration, Own thee sovereign Lord of all.

Hymn God's Presence 651

This wonderful hymn is very experiential in its conception of the presence of God, which is like heaven, bliss and not to be compared with any earthly charms. His presence is like mist dispelled by the sun, his absence like darkness. Verse 3 saves us from mysticism by stressing the practical nature of his presence. The idea of God unveiling 'his smiling face' is also in the hymn 'Where two or three, with sweet accord' by Beddome's contemporary Samuel Stennet (1727-1795). Milton's Paradise Lost refers to heaven as the 'seat of bliss'. The sixth verse of Watts 'Must all the charms of nature then' begins 'In vain the charms of nature shine'. C Wesley's hymn 'What shall I do my God to love' includes the line 'Whose mercy is divinely free'. He speaks of darkness veiling God's throne in 436. See here.

651 God’s presence in the church CM

IF God unveils his smiling face, Heaven it is to me; His church becomes a seat of bliss, Where I his glory see.

2 How vain the charms that creatures boast If once with this compared; His service is divinely free, His work its own reward.

3 To celebrate his highest praise, His holy will to do, Is my delightful sweet employ, The course I would pursue.

4 When he is near, my griefs disperse, Like mists before the sun; When absent, darkness veils my skies, And all my joys are gone.

Hymn Desiring the Divine Presence 560

This is a prayerful hymn of confident trust what ever may come. It is similar to a Methodist hymn beginning 'One thing with all my soul's desire' and including the verse 'Then leave me not when griefs assail, And earthly comforts flee; When father, mother, kindred fail, My God will think on me.'

560 Desiring the Divine Presence CM

UNVEIL thy face most holy Lord, And fill my heart with joy; Thy glories then shall tune my tongue, And all my thoughts employ.

2 Should I be plunged in deep distress, And earthly comforts flee; Yet might I say that thou art mine, ’Twould be enough for me.

3 If in a dungeon dark confined, I still enjoyed thy smile; This would at once disperse the gloom And all my cares beguile. 4 If in a lonely wilderness, My dwelling place should be; Grant me thy presence, and I want No other company.

5 In danger thou art my defence, My help in time of need Whilst others are but friends in name, Thou art a friend indeed.