Early will I seek Thee: my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty land.
Psalm 63:1
Words: Isaac Watts, The Psalms of David 1719. Seeking God.
Music: Leighton (Greatorex) Henry W. Greatorex, 1849 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tune:
If you know where to get a good picture of Greatorex (head-and-shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels), would you ?
Charles H. Spurgeon, in commenting upon this old temple song of David, remarks:
There is not a place beneath which the believer walks that is free from danger. Behind every tree there is…an arrow barbed, behind every bush is the lion seeking to devour, under every piece of grass there lies the adder.
Yet the Christian worker goes calmly on, knowing that his Lord will direct his course; he follows where his Father leads, and He directs his steps.
Arrows cannot pierce him, lions cannot devour him, adders cannot injure him, unless it is the divine will, and their bringing death to him would only usher him into the presence of his Lord, to go no more out for ever.
Robinson, p. 25
My God, permit my tongue
This joy, to call Thee mine;
And let my early cries prevail
To taste Thy love divine.
My thirsty, fainting soul
Thy mercy doth implore;
Not travelers in desert lands
Can pant for water more.
Within Thy churches, Lord,
I long to find my place;
Thy power and glory to behold,
And feel Thy quickening grace.
For life without Thy love
No relish can afford;
No joy can be compared to this,
To serve and please the Lord.
To Thee I’ll lift my hands,
And praise Thee while I live;
Not the rich dainties of a feast
Such food or pleasure give.
In wakeful hours at night
I call my God to mind;
I think how wise Thy counsels are,
And all Thy dealings kind.
Since thou hast been my help,
To Thee my spirit flies,
And on Thy watchful providence
My cheerful hope relies.
The shadow of Thy wings
My soul in safety keeps;
I follow where my Father leads,
And He supports my steps.