1 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 burdens of the day.
2 There lies beneath its shadow,
But on the father 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,
Like a watchman set to guard the way
From that eternal grave.
3 Upon the cross of Jesus
Mine eyes at times can see
The very dying form of One
Who suffered there for me;
And from my smitten heart, with tears,
These wonders I confess:
The wonder of His glorious love
And my unworthiness.
4 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.
