161: FOR ever with the Lord

161: FOR ever with the Lord

by James Montgomery (1771-1854)

1 FOR ever with the Lord,
Amen, so let it be;
Life from the dead is in that word,
'Tis immortality.
Here in the body pent,
Absent from Him we roam,
Yet nightly pitch our moving tent
A day's march nearer home.

2 Our Father's house on high,
Home of our souls, how near
E'en now to faith's transpiercing eye
Thy gates of pearl appear!
The thirsty spirit faints
To reach the home we love;
The bright inheritance of saints,
Jerusalem above.

3 And though there intervene
Rough roads and stormy skies,
Faith will not suffer ought to screen
Thy glory from our eyes.
There shall all clouds depart,
The wilderness shall cease,
And sweetly shall each gladdened heart
Enjoy eternal peace.