Introduction
Words: Ray Palmer, 1854.
Music: Deus Tuorum Militum Grenoble Antiphoner, 1753 (🔊 pdf nwc).
In My Father’s house are many mansions…I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
John 14:2–3
Words: Ray Palmer, 1854.
Music: Deus Tuorum Militum Grenoble Antiphoner, 1753 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Another of Dr. Ray Palmer’s hymns on heaven. It was published first in the Sabbath Hymn-Book, 1858…and he has reckoned the date of its composition as early as 1854.
This enthusiastic poet was in the habit of repeating religious poetry at the bedside of invalids, instead of seeking to hold wearying conversations with them. There is a manifest advantage in this, for generally it does little more than remind the one who is feeble of what he really knew before; and with the aid of the rhyme, and more often the meter, he can follow the line of thinking more easily…
In the hymns of every language can be found the best theology and highest spirituality of the evangelical people who speak it; and so one of the wisest counsels to a young clergyman is that he commit such to memory. This particular piece was, with the author, a favorite in such exercises.
Robinson, p. 471
Thy Father’s house! Thine own bright home!
And Thou hast there a place for me!
Though yet an exile here I roam,
That distant home by faith I see.
I see its domes resplendent glow,
Where beams of God’s own glory fall;
And trees of life immortal grow,
Whose fruits o’erhang the sapphire wall.
I know that Thou, who on the tree
Didst deign our mortal guilt to bear,
Will bring Thine own to dwell with Thee,
And waitest to receive me there.
Thy love will there array my soul
In Thine own robe of spotless hue;
And I shall gaze while ages roll,
On Thee, with raptures ever new.
O welcome day! when Thou my feet
Shalt bring the shining threshold o’er;
A Father’s warm embrace to meet,
And dwell at home for evermore.