Beneath the cross of Jesus

Beneath the cross of Jesus

I fain would take my stand

The shadow of a mighty Rock

Within a weary land;

A home within the wilderness

A rest upon the way

From the burning of the noontide heat

And the burden of the day.

Oh

safe and happy shelter!

Oh

refuge tried and sweet!

Oh

trysting place where heaven’s love

And heaven’s justice meet.

As to the holy patriarch

That wondrous dream was given

So is my Savior by the cross

A ladder up to heaven.

There lies beneath its shadow

But on the farther side

The darkness of an awful grave

That gapes both deep and wide;

And there between us stands the cross

Two arms outstretched to save

Like a watchman set to guard the way

From that eternal grave.

Upon that cross of Jesus

Mine eye at times can see

The very dying form of One

Who suffered there for me;

And from my smitten heart

with tears

Two wonders I confess

The wonders of His glorious love

And my own worthlessness.

I take

O cross

thy shadow

For my abiding place;

I ask no other sunshine than

The sunshine of His face;

Content to let the world go by

To know no gain nor loss

My sinful self my only shame

My glory all the cross.