O were I like a feather’d dove,
And innocence had wings,
I’d fly, and make a long remove
From all these restless things
Let me to some wild desert go,
And find a peaceful home;
Where storms of malice never blow,
Temptations never come.

By morning light I’ll seek his face,
At noon repeat my cry;
The night shall hear me ask his grace,
Nor will he long deny.
God shall preserve my soul from fear,
Or shield me when afraid;
Ten thousand angels must appear,
If he command their aid.

I cast my burdens on the Lord,
The Lord sustains them all;
My courage rests upon his word,
That saints shall never fall.
My highest hopes shall not be vain,
My lips shall spread his praise;
While cruel and deceitful men
Scarce live out half their days.

Recordings 1