O Thou, in whose presence my soul takes delight

1
O Thou, in whose presence my soul takes delight,
    On whom in affliction I call,
My comfort by day and my song in the night,
    My hope, my salvation, my all!
2
Where dost Thou, dear Shepherd, resort with Thy sheep,
    To feed them in pastures of love;
Say, why in the valley of death should I weep,
    Or alone in this wilderness rove?
3
Oh, why should I wander, an alien from Thee,
    Or cry in the desert for bread?
Thy foes will rejoice when my sorrows they see,
    And smile at the tears I have shed.
4
Ye daughters of Zion, declare, have you seen
    The Star that on Israel shone?
Say, if in your tents my Beloved has been,
    And where with His flocks He is gone.
5
Dear Shepherd! I hear, and will follow Thy call;
    I know the sweet sound of Thy voice;
Restore and defend me, for Thou art my all,
    And in Thee I’ll ever rejoice.
21
Mark Sallade

Post Falls, Idaho, United States

“Ps 23:1 Jehovah is my Shepherd; I will lack nothing.

Ps 23:2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside waters of rest.

Ps 23:3 He restores my soul;

He guides me on the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.

Ps 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley

Of the shadow of death,

I do not fear evil, For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, They comfort me.

Ps 23:5 You spread a table before me

In the presence of my adversaries;

You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.

Ps 23:6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me All the days of my life,

And I will dwell in the house of Jehovah

For the length of my days. ”

Holy Bible Recovery Version


Akesha Chrste

Mnteg Bay, Trelawny, Jamaica

A strong and reassuring song of God's amazing grace and love. He's the balm in Gilead.


Susan Wannie Bouhadir

Monrovia, Montserrado, Liberia

Lying down on this day thinking of how God have been good to me. He protected me in and out from my enemies all those times. I didn't realise until he exposed them. He defended me and restored me. I suddenly thought of this song. "O Thou in Whose Presence My Soul Takes Delight". This song is sang most Sundays at my Church, the Providence Baptist Church. Truly on whom in affliction, I called, my comfort by day, and my song in the night. My hope, my salvation, my all. Listening to to it brought relief to me right now. I am now relieved. Thank you Holy Spirit for signaling this song to my spirit. Amen


Patience

Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, United States

This is my worship song, when I can't find the words to pray. The Holy Spirit just lays it on my heart. It has all the right words that says, "Jesus you're my all and all; and I thank you ".


Yankoi Guluma

Tucson, Arizona, United States

This hymn has been a comfort to millions across the world especially in times of sorrow. The lyrics, and the Melody, goes deep within the soul.

Thank you !


Ana Lara

Storrs, Connecticut, United States

Joseph Swain was born in 1761 at Birmingham, England and was left an orphan at an early age. He went to work as an apprentice to an engraver. He was attracted to the world and had an active social life. His ability to write songs was used for his worldly pursuits. He also wrote some plays. But God’s eye was upon him and he began to do soul-searching.

He bought a Bible and read and as a result was lead from darkness into light. Joseph was saved on May of 1783. He became a useful and active Christian.

In 1791 he took charge of a mission work in East Street, Walworth, London. He was not very strong and after a two weeks’ illness on April 14, 1796 at 35 years old, he heard the call from “His celestial voice that made his enraptured heart rejoice”.

He was buried in Bunhill Fields burial ground in London. His headstone recovered from its original site following a damage in WWII is now located in the paved broad-walk in the middle of the burial ground next to the obelisk of Daniel Defoe and the headstone of William Blake.


Laura B Schutze

Rocky River, OH, United States

I have wondered where the words to this "This is my beloved, his form is divine, His vestments shine odors around, The locks on his head are as grapes on the vine, When autumn with plenty is crowned" originated. Anybody here have a suggestion for me? Thanks.


William Alton Jr

Halethorpe, MD, United States

I was feeling down and this song came to me from my childhood.


Merold Westphal

My father was a minister. On Sunday mornings, before church, he sat in his rocking chair and sang this song. Somehow it is the third verse that has stuck in my mind decades later, or perhaps I should say it has haunted my memory with its beauty ever since.


Wanda Randolph

Eatonville, Florida, United States

Beautiful hymn. Meaningful to the soul. Some churches are straying away from traditional hymns to other generational jump music less meaningful.