Apart - A poem by Hannah K. Burlingham

 

Apart

Ps. 25:12

LORD Jesus, 'tis exceeding gain

If but Thyself I know;

I thank Thee thus for hours of pain

That come to pay below:

The message Thou art pleased to send,

In mercy from above,

Appoints the silent hours I spend,

Reposing in Thy love.

I leave awhile the thronging crowd

To be apart with Thee;

I hear not now the strivings loud

That vex the distant sea:

The heavings of its restless tide

Sound faintly on mine ear,

And from Thy Haven fair and wide

I see my Home so near.

I know not what may be in store;

The charge is This to keep:

Perchance my bark need never more

Launch forth upon the deep;

But whether toward the golden strand

Be set the vessel's prow,

Or whether sailing far from land,

Doth not concern me now.

Thou art Thyself, O precious LORD,

My one eternal gain;

Thou art my solace and reward

Alike in ease and pain.

Because Thy love enfoldeth me

No ill can e'er befall;

'Tis perfect peace to rest in Thee,

My LORD, my all in all.

Hannah K. Burlingham

Psalm 25:12-13 What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. His soul shall dwell at ease...

Mark 6:31-32 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.

Ship painting by Carl Rasmussan (from rawpixel.com)