J N Darby – A Song for the Wilderness – This world is a wilderness wide

THIS world is a wilderness wide;
I have nothing to seek nor to choose;
I’ve no thought in the waste to abide;
I’ve nought to regret nor to lose.

The Lord is Himself gone before;
He has marked out the path that I tread;
It’s as sure as the love I adore;
I have nothing to fear nor to dread.

There is but that one in the waste,
Which His footsteps have marked as His own;
And I follow in diligent haste
To the seats where He’s put on His crown.

For the path where my Saviour is gone
Has led up to His Father and God,
To the place where He’s now on the throne;
And His strength shall be mine on the road.

And with Him shall my rest be on high,
When in holiness bright I sit down,
In the joy of His love ever nigh,
In the peace that His presence shall crown.

‘Tis the treasure I’ve found in His love
That has made me a pilgrim below;
And ’tis there, when I reach Him above,
As I’m known, all His fulness I’ll know.

And, Saviour! ’tis Thee from on high
I await till the time Thou shalt come,
To take him Thou hast led by Thine eye
To Thyself in Thy heavenly home.

Till then, ’tis the path Thou hast trod
My delight and my comfort shall be;
I’m content with Thy staff and Thy rod,
Till with Thee all Thy glory I see.

John Nelson Darby (1800-1882)

Written 1849

Edited version in Little Flock Hymn Book  (1962, 1973) and in Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs 1978 – No 139

Author: Sosthenes

Once the ruler of the synagogue at Corinth Then a co-writer of a letter by Paul - just a brother - no longer an official Now a blogger seeking to serve the Lord by posting some words that the Lord has given His Church. View all posts by Sosthenes