"Rejoice in the Lord Always"

Their brows should wear a holy light, 
Who front the heavens serenely bright; 
And gladness should their steps attend 
Who walk with God as with a friend.

For every footfall of their way 
But brings them nearer to the day 
That knows no night, and to the joy 
Nor grief can mar, nor sin alloy.

Fixed in the path that He hath trod, 
Their lives are hid with Christ in God, 
And dwell secure from every harm, 
Encircled by the Father's arm.

Behind the cloud, above the storm,
His sunlight lingers soft and warm;
And even through midnight's gloomiest pall
Some beams of mercy gently fall.

However dark the frown of fate, 
God will His promise vindicate,
And in His own good time and way, 
Bring in the full and perfect day —

In whose glad light shall disappear 
All that perplexed and troubled here, 
And show the weary path they trod, 
As the one path whose end is — God!