Desert sorrows, hard and bitter,

Turn to music, sweet and soft:

Groan and cry yield joyful singing—

Songs of Christ that mount aloft!

Ill they spake, “Can God provide us

Cheer amidst the wilderness?”

He a feast of joy has furnished—

Feast of sweetness, love and bliss!

In the desert Bread He giveth

Till we nought can ask beside—

Raineth down delight from heaven

Till the heart is satisfied!

’Tis Thy love, O Christ, that fills us,

And from out our hearts doth bring

Songs of joy, as sweet, as wondrous,

As in heaven the blessed sing!

Thus our sorrow turns to music,

Thus our cry to sweetest song,

Weeping to eternal gladness,

Night to day, vast ages long!

      (From Hymns of Grace and Truth, Horizon Press, San Diego, CA.)