Christ My Song - 810

From the Rock that God has riven - The river of God
(Frances Bevan/Johannes Thomas Rüegg)

The river of God.

Psalm 46,4.

1. From the Rock that God has riven
flows the sacred river,
through the wastes of barren ages,
ever and for ever. (PDF - Midi)

2. Still on this side and on that side,
grow the healing trees –
bearing fruit for all who hunger,
leaves for all disease.

3. From the everlasting fountains
still it flows along,
making glad the holy city
of eternal song.

4. From the throne of Christ in glory,
Rock that God has riven,
onward still the crystal river
bears the life of Heaven.

5. Sheep lie yet in quiet pastures
by the waters still,
lilies grow in God's green meadows,
cedars on his hill.

6. Still to drink the living waters
come the souls athirst,
eyes behold the face of Jesus
even as at first.

7. Clad in white there walk beside him
still the blessed throng –
through the ages sound unsilenced
psaltery and song.

8. Onward weary generations
pass through deserts dread,
void and silent skies above them,
under them the dead.

9. Whilst unseen the Lord's fair garden
round about them glows,
and the barren wildernesses
blossom as the rose.

10. Whilst beside them unimagined
glide the waters fair –
whilst around, the psalms ascending
tell that Christ is there.

C. P. C.

Frances Bevan, Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso and others 1, 1899, 43-45.