In the Secret of His Presence

 

 

In the secret of His presence

I am kept from strife of tongues:

His pavilion is around me,

And within are ceaseless songs!

Stormy winds, His word fulfilling,

Beat without, but cannot harm,

For the Master’s voice is stilling

Storm and tempest to a calm.

*

In the secret of His presence

All the darkness disappears:

For a sun that knows no setting

Throws a rainbow on my tears.

So the day grows ever lighter,

Broad’ning to the perfect noon:

And the day grows ever brighter-

Heaven is coming, near and soon.

*

In the secret of His presence

Never more can foes alarm:

In the shadow of the Highest,

I can meet them with a psalm:

For the strong pavilion hides me,

Turns their fiery dart aside,

And I know, whate’er betides me,

I shall live because He died!

Henry Burton