959. For ever with the Lord

Author: James Montgomery 1771-1854

‘For ever with the Lord!’
Amen, so let it be!
Life from the dead is in that word,
and immortality.
In longing discontent,
absent from him I roam,
yet nightly pitch my moving tent
a day’s march nearer home.

2. My Father’s house on high,
home of my soul, how near
at times to faith’s foreseeing eye
those golden gates appear!
O how my spirit faints
to reach the land I love,
the bright inheritance of saints,
Jerusalem above.

3. All that I am, have been,
all that I yet may be,
he sees at once, as he has seen,
and shall for ever see.
How can I meet his eyes?
Mine on the cross I cast
and count my life the Saviour’s prize,
mercy from first to last.

4. ‘For ever with the Lord!’
Father, this is your will:
the promise of that faithful word
on earth to me fulfil.
Be now at my right hand,
then can I never fail;
uphold me, and I firm shall stand;
fight, and I must prevail.

5. So when my final breath
shall set me free from pain,
by death I shall escape from death
and life eternal gain.
That resurrection word,
that shout of victory,
once more: ‘For ever with the Lord!’
Amen, so let it be!