A HYMN FOR TODAY

Beneath the cross of Jesus
I fain would take my stand,
The shadow of a mighty rock
Within a weary land,
A home within the wilderness,
A rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noontide heat
And the burden of the day.

There lies beneath its shadow,
But on the farther side,
The darkness of an awful grave
That gapes both deep and wide,
And there between us stands the cross,
Two arms outstretched to save,
A watchman set to guard the way
From that eternal grave.

Upon that cross of Jesus
Mine eye at times can see
The very dying form of one
Who suffered there for me;
And from my smitten heart with tears
Two wonders I confess:
The wonders of redeeming love
And my unworthiness.

I take, O cross, thy shadow
For my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than
The sunshine of His face;
Content to let the world go by,
To know no gain or loss,
My sinful self my only shame,
My glory all the cross.

Irr. – Elizabeth C. Clephane, 1869

Tune: ST. CHRISTOPHER – Frederick C. Maker, 1881

#537 in Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Song, 2012

Verse 2 is too often omitted from some hymnals