God Our Portion Here and Hereafter

God, my supporter and my hope,

My help for ever near!

Thine arm of mercy holds me up,

And saves me from despair.

Thy counsels, Lord! shall guide my feet

Through this dark wilderness:

Thy hand conduct me near thy seat,

To dwell before thy face.

Were I in heav'n without my God,

'Twould be no joy to me;

And whilst this earth is my abode,

I long for none but thee.

What if the springs of life were broke,

And flesh and heart should faint?

God is my soul's eternal rock,

The strength of ev'ry saint.

Behold, the sinners, that remove

Far from thy presence, die:

Not all the idol-gods they love

Can save them, when they cry.

But to draw near to thee, my God!

Shall be my sweet employ.

My tongue shall sound thy works abroad,

And tell the world my joy.