Christ My Song - 414

I know thy poverty, but thou art rich - An aged pilgrim
(Horatius Bonar/Johannes Thomas Rüegg)

An aged pilgrim.

"But thou art rich." (Rev. 2,9)

(Written for the Aged Pilgrims' Society, London.)

1. I know thy poverty, but thou art rich,
  for all I have is thine,
my heaven, my glory, and my throne:
  canst thou, my child, repine? (PDF - Midi)

2. I know thy poverty, but thou art rich,
  for I myself am thine;
and thou, for whom I gave my life,
  yes, thou thyself art mine.

3. Think'st thou I could not give thee earthly gold
  from royal stores above?
Is my eternal fulness drained?
  Or have I ceased to love?

4. 'Twas better that thou shouldst be poor on earth,
  and thus I chose thy lot.
Canst thou misdoubt a love like mine,
  or deem thyself forgot?

5. This passing world is poor, but thou art rich;
  'tis rich, but thou art poor;
thy poverty is but a day,
  thy riches evermore.

6. I know thy poverty, but not the less
  art thou my chosen one.
Heir of eternal riches, think
  how soon there comes the throne.

7. All things are thine, belovèd, life or death,
  or wealth or poverty;
the blood of him who died and rose
  has bought them all for thee;

8. things present or to come, thy Father's house,
  with all its bright abodes:
claim thou thy heritage, for thou
  art Christ's, and Christ is God's.

9. The things that eye hath never seen, nor ear
  hath heard, are all in sight.
The day of gladness comes apace;
  tears are but for a night.

September 12th, 1884.

Horatius Bonar, "Until the day break", 1890, 121-123.

            PDF - Midi