A poem by John Fawcett (1739-1817)

Like the Psalmist, who often laments those times where he feels estranged from God, Fawcett wrote this poem (or hymn) to express the sentiments of Psalm 42.

My passions fly to seek their King,
And send their groans abroad;
They beat the air with heavy wing,
And mourn an absent God.

Round the creation wild I rove,
And search the globe in vain;
There’s nothing here that’s worth my love
Till he return again.

Pensive I climb the sacred hills,
And near him vent my woes;
Yet his sweet face he still conceals,
And still my passion grows.

How long shall my poor fainting soul
Seek thee, my Lord, in vain?
Reveal thy love, my fears control,
And ease me of my pain.

Thy presence, gracious Lord, can chear
This dungeon where I dwell;
‘Tis paradise when thou art here;
When thou art gone, ’tis hell.

Immortal joys thy smiles impart;
Heav’n dawns in ev’ry ray;
One glimpse of thee will ease my heart,
And turn my night to day.

Follow-up Questions:

1. Read Psalm 42 – what is the Psalmist’s response to his
feelings of spiritual abandonment?

2. Why is it so important for us to distinguish truth from
feelings in times like these?

3. What purpose does God have in these times of what
feels like spiritual desertion?