Often I Seek My Lord by Night

Verse 1

Often I seek my Lord by night,
Jesus, my love, my soul’s delight;
With warm desire and restless thought
I seek him oft, but find him not.

Verse 2

Then I arise, and search the street
Till I my Lord, my Saviour meet;
I ask the watchmen of the night,
“Where did you see my soul’s delight?”

Verse 3

Sometimes I find him in the way,
Directed by a heavenly ray;
I leap for joy to see his face,
And hold him fast in mine embrace.

Verse 4

I bring him to my mother’s home,
Nor does my Lord refuse to come,
To Sion’s sacred chambers, where
My soul first drew the vital air.

Verse 5

He gives me there his bleeding heart,
Pierc’d for my sake with deadly smart;
I give my soul to him, and there
Our loves their mutual tokens share.

Verse 6

I charge you all, ye earthly toys,
Approach not to disturb my joys;
Nor sin, nor hell come near my heart,
Nor cause my Saviour to depart.