293    8s     Augustus Toplady
Longing for God’s Presence in Soul Trouble. Ps. 61. 2

1 Encompassed with clouds of distress,
  And tempted all hope to resign,
  I pant for the light of thy face,
  That I in thy beauty may shine.
  Disheartened with waiting so long,
  I sink at thy feet with my load;
  All plaintive I pour out my song,
  And stretch forth my hands unto God.

2 [Shine, Lord, and my terror shall cease;
  The blood of atonement apply;
  And lead me to Jesus for peace,
  The Rock that is higher than I.
  Speak, Saviour, for sweet is thy voice;
  Thy presence is fair to behold;
  I thirst for thy Spirit, with cries
  And groanings that cannot be told.]

3 If sometimes I strive, as I mourn,
  My hold of thy promise to keep,
  The billows more fiercely return,
  And plunge me again in the deep.
  While harassed and cast from thy sight,
  The tempter suggests with a roar,
  “The Lord has forsaken thee quite;
  Thy God will be gracious no more.”

4 Yet, Lord, if thy love has designed
  No covenant blessing for me,
  Ah! tell me, how is it I find
  Some sweetness in waiting for thee?
  Almighty to rescue thou art,
  Thy grace is immortal and free;
  Lord, succour and comfort my heart,
  And make me live wholly to thee.