[T]he author of this hymn, Matthew Bridges, wrote six original stanzas in 1851. But then, in 1874, Godfrey Thring wrote another version of the hymn, with six new stanzas. Thring, it seems, was concerned that some of Bridges’ lyrics were too Catholic. In time, the versions were mingled, with different hymnals producing different hybrid versions.
Mark Roberts has also written a new verse for this hymn because “all of these verses miss what seems to me one of the most obvious and essential elements of a hymn that celebrates the many crowns of Christ.”
Here, O my Lord, I see Thee face to face; Here would I touch and handle things unseen; Here grasp with firmer hand eternal grace, And all my weariness upon Thee lean.
This is the hour of banquet and of song; This is the heavenly table spread for me; Here let me feast, and feasting, still prolong The hallowed hour of fellowship with Thee.
Here would I feed upon the bread of God, Here drink with Thee the royal wine of Heaven; Here would I lay aside each earthly load, Here taste afresh the calm of sin forgiven.
I have no help but Thine; nor do I need Another arm save Thine to lean upon; It is enough, my Lord, enough indeed; My strength is in Thy might, Thy might alone.
I have no wisdom save in Him Who is My Wisdom and my Teacher both in One; No wisdom can I lack while Thou art wise; No teaching do I crave save Thine alone.
Mine is the sin, but Thine the righteousness: Mine is the guilt, but Thine the cleansing blood; Here is my robe, my refuge, and my peace; Thy Blood, Thy righteousness, O Lord my God!
Too soon we rise; the symbols disappear; The feast, though not the love, is past and gone. The bread and wine remove; but Thou art here, Nearer than ever, still my Shield and Sun.
Feast after feast thus comes and passes by; Yet, passing, points to the glad feast above, Giving sweet foretaste of the festal joy, The Lamb’s great bridal feast of bliss and love.
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This poem by Anne R. Cousin contains some references that are specific to her own situation, and the verses containing those and more—there are nineteen stanzas, after all—are cut to make the hymn. I’ve included them all here because I like them.
The sands of time are sinking, the dawn of Heaven breaks; The summer morn I’ve sighed for—the fair, sweet morn awakes: Dark, dark hath been the midnight, but dayspring is at hand, And glory, glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.
O Christ, He is the fountain, the deep, sweet well of love! The streams on earth I’ve tasted more deep I’ll drink above: There to an ocean fullness His mercy doth expand, And glory, glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.
Oh! Well it is forever, Oh! well forevermore, My nest hung in no forest of all this death doomed shore: Yea, let the vain world vanish, as from the ship the strand, While glory—glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.
There the Red Rose of Sharon unfolds its heartsome bloom And fills the air of heaven with ravishing perfume: Oh! To behold it blossom, while by its fragrance fanned Where glory—glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.
The King there in His beauty, without a veil is seen: It were a well spent journey, though seven deaths lay between: The Lamb with His fair army, doth on Mount Zion stand, And glory—glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.
Oft in yon sea beat prison My Lord and I held tryst, For Anwoth was not heaven, and preaching was not Christ: And aye, my murkiest storm cloud was by a rainbow spanned, Caught from the glory dwelling in Immanuel’s land.
But that He built a Heaven of His surpassing love, A little new Jerusalem, like to the one above, “Lord take me over the water” hath been my loud demand, Take me to my love’s own country, unto Immanuel’s land.
But flowers need nights cool darkness, the moonlight and the dew; So Christ, from one who loved it, His shining oft withdrew: And then, for cause of absence my troubled soul I scanned But glory shadeless shineth in Immanuel’s land.
The little birds of Anwoth, I used to count them blessed, Now, beside happier altars I go to build my nest: Over these there broods no silence, no graves around them stand, For glory, deathless, dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.
Fair Anwoth by the Solway, to me thou still art dear, Even from the verge of heaven, I drop for thee a tear. Oh! If one soul from Anwoth meet me at God’s right hand, My heaven will be two heavens, In Immanuel’s land.
I’ve wrestled on towards Heaven, against storm and wind and tide, Now, like a weary traveler that leaneth on his guide, Amid the shades of evening, while sinks life’s lingering sand, I hail the glory dawning from Immanuel’s land.
Deep waters crossed life’s pathway, the hedge of thorns was sharp; Now, these lie all behind me Oh! for a well tuned harp! Oh! To join hallelujah with yon triumphant band, Who sing where glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.
With mercy and with judgment my web of time He wove, And aye, the dews of sorrow were lustered with His love; I’ll bless the hand that guided, I’ll bless the heart that planned When throned where glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.
Soon shall the cup of glory wash down earth’s bitterest woes, Soon shall the desert briar break into Eden’s rose; The curse shall change to blessing the name on earth that’s banned Be graven on the white stone in Immanuel’s land.
O I am my Beloved’s and my Beloved’s mine! He brings a poor vile sinner into His “house of wine.” I stand upon His merit—I know no other stand, Not even where glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.
I shall sleep sound in Jesus, filled with His likeness rise, To love and to adore Him, to see Him with these eyes: ’Tween me and resurrection but Paradise doth stand; Then—then for glory dwelling in Immanuel’s land.
The Bride eyes not her garment, but her dear Bridegroom’s face; I will not gaze at glory but on my King of grace. Not at the crown He giveth but on His piercèd hand; The Lamb is all the glory of Immanuel’s land.
I have borne scorn and hatred, I have borne wrong and shame, Earth’s proud ones have reproached me for Christ’s thrice blessed Name: Where God His seal set fairest they’ve stamped the foulest brand, But judgment shines like noonday in Immanuel’s land.
They’ve summoned me before them, but there I may not come, My Lord says “Come up hither,” My Lord says “Welcome home!” My King, at His white throne, my presence doth command Where glory—glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.
—Anne R. Cousin
Other hymns, worship songs, sermons etc. posted today:
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Have you posted a hymn (or sermon, sermon notes, prayer, etc.) today and I missed it? Let me know by leaving a link in the comments or by emailing me at the address in the sidebar and I’ll add your post to the list.
Have you posted a hymn (or sermon, sermon notes, prayer, etc.) today and I missed it? Let me know by leaving a link in the comments or by emailing me at the address in the sidebar and I’ll add your post to the list.
When Hannah pressed with grief, Poured forth her soul in prayer; She quickly found relief, And left her burden there: Like her, in every trying case, Let us approach the throne of grace.
When she began to pray, Her heart was pained and sad; But ere she went away, Was comforted and glad: In trouble, what a resting place, Have they who know the throne of grace!
Though men and devils rage, And threaten to devour; The saints, from age to age, Are safe from all their pow’r: Fresh strength they gain to run their race, By waiting at the throne of grace.
Eli her case mistook, How was her spirit moved By his unkind rebuke? But GOD her cause approved. We need not fear a creature’s face, While welcome at a throne of grace.
She was not filled with wine, As Eli rashly thought; But with a faith divine, And found the help file sought: Though men despise and call us base, Still let us ply the throne of grace.
Men have not pow’r or skill, With troubled souls to bear; Though they express good–will, Poor comforters they are: But swelling sorrows sink apace, When we approach the throne of grace.
Numbers before have tried, And found the promise true; Nor one been yet denied, Then why should I or you? Let us by faith their footsteps trace, And hasten to the throne of grace.
As fogs obscure the light, And taint the morning air; But soon are put to flight, If the bright sun appear; Thus Jesus will our troubles chase, By shining from the throne of grace.
Have you posted a hymn (or sermon, sermon notes, prayer, etc.) today and I missed it? Let me know by leaving a link in the comments or by emailing me at the address in the sidebar and I’ll add your post to the list.
Have you posted a hymn (or sermon, sermon notes, prayer, etc.) today and I missed it? Let me know by leaving a link in the comments or by emailing me at the address in the sidebar and I’ll add your post to the list.
Have you posted a hymn (or sermon, sermon notes, prayer, etc.) today and I missed it? Let me know by leaving a link in the comments or by emailing me at the address in the sidebar and I’ll add your post to the list.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 1:15PM 
