470. O Thou, in whose presence my soul takes delight
Joseph Swain, 1761-96
Swain entitled this hymn, “A Description of Christ by His Grace and Power,” which was suggested to him by the description of the “Shepherd” in Solomon’s Song 1:7. The original poem has nine stanzas of eight lines each.
For comments on the author, John Swain, see [Hymn 323].
MUSIC. MY BELOVED, also called “Beloved” and “Meditation,” is of uncertain origin. It appeared in a book, The Beauties of Harmony, compiled by Freeman Lewis in 1813 and was arranged by Hubert P. Main in 1869. Lewis, 1780-1859, was by profession a surveyor at Uniontown, Pa. Music was his avocation.
For comments on Hubert P. Main see [Hymn 426].