Thou Life Within My Life

Thou life with­in my life

than self more near

Thou veil­èd pre­sence in­fin­ite­ly clear

From all il­lus­ive shows of sense I flee

To find my cen­ter and my rest in Thee.

Below all depths Thy sav­ing mer­cy lies

Through thick­est gloom I see Thy light arise

Above the high­est heav­en Thou art not found

More sure­ly than with­in this earth­ly round.

Take part with me against those doubts that rise

And seek to throne Thee far in dist­ant skies!

Take part with me against this self that dares

Assume the bur­den of these sins and cares!

How can I call Thee who art al­ways here

How shall I praise Thee who art still most dear

What may I give Thee save what Thou hast giv­en

And whom but Thee have I in earth or Heav’n?