1 O Thou in whose presence my soul takes delight,
On whom in afflictions I call,
My comfort by day, and my song in the night,
My hope, my salvation, my all.

2 Where dost Thou at noontide resort with Thy sheep,
To feed on the pastures of love?
Say, why in the valley of death should I weep,
Or alone in the wilderness rove?

3 O, why should I wander an alien from Thee,
And 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 ye 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 This is my Beloved; his form is divine;
His vestments shed odors around:
The locks on his head are as grapes on the vine,
When autumn with plenty is crowned.

6 The roses of Sharon, the lilies that grow
In vales on the banks of the streams:
On his cheeks all the beauties of excellence glow,
And his eyes are as quivers of beams.

7 His voice as the sound of the dulcimer sweet,
Is heard through the shadows of death;
The cedars of Lebanon bow at his feet,
The air is perfumed with his breath.

8 His lips as a fountain of righteousness flow,
That waters the garden of grace,
From which their salvation, the Gentiles shall know,
And bask in the smiles of his face.

9 Love sits in his eyelids, and scatters delight
Through all the bright mansions on high;
Their faces the cherubim veil in his sight,
And tremble with fulness of joy.

10 He looks, and ten thousands of angels rejoice,
and myriads wait for His word;
He speaks and eternity, filled with His voice,
re-echoes the praise of the Lord.

11 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 will ever rejoice.