ABIDE—ABODE.
For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.—I. Chronicles, xxix. 15.
The fear of the Lord tendeth to life, and he that hath it shall abide satisfied.—Proverbs, xix. 23.
They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.—Psalm cxxv. 1.
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.—John, xv. 7.
Eternal power! whose high abode
Becomes the grandeur of a God—
Infinite lengths beyond the bounds,
Where stars revolve their little rounds.
The lowest step beneath thy seat
Rises too high for Gabriel’s feet:
In vain the tall archangel tries
To reach thine height with wondering eyes.
Watts.
“We’ve no abiding city here:”—
This may distress the worldly mind;
But should not cost the saint a tear,
Who hopes a better rest to find.
“We’ve no abiding city here;”
We seek a city out of sight;
Zion its name,—the Lord is there,
It shines with everlasting light.
O! sweet abode of peace and love,
Where pilgrims freed from toil are blest;
Had I the pinions of a dove,
I’d fly to thee and be at rest.
Kelly.
Sun of my soul! Thou Saviour dear,
It is not night if Thou be near:
Oh, may no earth-born cloud arise
To hide Thee from Thy servant’s eyes.
Abide with me from morn till eve,
For without Thee I cannot live.
Abide with me when night is nigh,
For without Thee I dare not die.
Keble.