Seeking the Beloved

To those who know the Lord I speak;
Is my Beloved near?

To those who know the Lord I speak;
Is my Beloved near?
The Bridegroom of my soul I seek,
Oh! when will he appear?

Though once a man of grief and shame,
Yet now he fills a throne,
And bears the greatest, sweetest name
That earth or heaven has known.

Grace flies before, and love attends
His steps where’er he goes;
Though none can see him but his friends,
And they were once his foes.

He speaks; obedient to his call
Our warm affections move:
Did he but shine alike on all,
Then all alike would love.

Then love in every heart would reign,
And war would cease to roar;
And cruel and bloodthirsty men
Would thirst for blood no more.

Such Jesus is, and such his grace;
Oh, may he shine on you!
And tell him, when you see his face,
I long to see him too.

William Cowper