S.M. For ever with the Lord. Thessalonians iv.17.

1 "FOR ever with the Lord!"
Amen! so let it be!
Life from the dead is in that word,
'Tis immortality!

2 Here in the body pent,
Absent from him I roam,
Yet nightly pitch my moving tent
A day's march nearer home.

3 My Father's house on high,
Home of my soul! how near,
At times, to faith's foreseeing eye,
Thy golden gates appear!

4 Ah! then my spirit faints
To reach the land I love,
The bright inheritance of saints,
Jerusalem above!

5 "For ever with the Lord!"
Father, if 'tis thy will,
The promise of that faithful word
Even here to me fulfil.

6 Be thou at my right hand,
Then can I never fail;
Uphold thou me, and I shall stand,
Fight, and I must prevail.

7 So when my latest breath
Shall rend the veil in twain,
By death I shall escape from death,
And life eternal gain.

8 Knowing as I am known,
How shall I love that word,
And oft repeat before the throne,
"For ever with the Lord!"


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