Thou only Sovereign of my heart

Thou only sovereign of my heart,

My refuge, my almighty friend—

And can my soul from thee depart,

On whom alone my hopes depend?

Whither, ah! whither shall I go,

A wretched wand'rer from my Lord?

Can this dark world of sin and woe

One glimpse of happiness afford?

Eternal life thy words impart,

On these my fainting spirit lives;

Here sweeter comforts cheer my heart

Than all the round of nature gives.

Let earth's alluring joys combine,

While thou art near, in vain they call;

One smile, one blissful smile of thine,

My dearest Lord, outweighs them all.

Thy name my inmost powers adore,

Thou art my life, my joy, my care:

Depart from thee—'tis death—'tis more!

'Tis endless ruin, deep despair!

Low at thy feet my soul would lie,

Here safety dwells, and peace divine;

Still let me live beneath thine eye,

For life eternal life is thine.