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Believers Hymn Book · No. 92 · Words: Mary Jane Deck Walker · Tune: Navarre
I journey through a desert drear and wild
Create PowerPoint slides from this hymn →A Victorian pilgrim hymn by Plymouth Brethren writer Mary Jane Deck Walker, meditating on Christ's love as the soul's light and comfort amid earthly trials. It traces thoughts of His incarnation and patient suffering as a sustaining source of grace on the believer's journey.
Verse 1
I journey through a desert drear and wild,
Yet is my heart by such sweet thoughts beguiled
Of Him on whom I lean, my Strength, my Stay.
I can forget the sorrows of the way.
Verse 2
Thoughts of His love—the root of ev'ry grace
Which finds in this poor heart a dwelling-place;
The sunshine of my soul, than day more bright,
And my calm pillow of repose by night.
Verse 3
Thoughts of His sojourn in this vale of tears;
The tale of love unfolded in those years
Of sinless suffering and patient grace,
I love again and yet again to trace.
Verse 4
Thoughts of His glory—on the Cross I gaze,
And there behold its sad yet healing rays;
Beacon of hope which, lifted up on high,
Illumes with heavenly light the tear-dimmed eye.
Verse 5
Thoughts of His coming; for that joyful day
In patient hope I watch, and wait, and pray;
The dawn draws nigh, the midnight shadows flee,
O what a sunrise will that advent be!
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