The Soul That Loves God Finds Him Everywhere

Oh Thou, by long experience tried,
Near whom no grief can long abide
My Love! how full of sweet content
I pass my years of banishment.

All scenes alike engaging prove
To souls impress'd with sacred love,
Where'er they dwell, they dwell in Thee,
In heav'n, in earth or on the sea.

To me remains nor place nor time,
My country is in ev'ry clime,
I can be calm and free from care
On any shore, since God is there.

While place we seek, or place we shun,
The soul find happiness in none,
But with a God to guide our way,
'Tis equal joy to go or stay.

Could I be cast where Thou art not,
That were indeed a dreadful, lot,
But regions none remote I call,
Secure of finding God in all.

My country, Lord, art Thou alone,
Nor other can I claim or own,
The point where all my wishes meet,
My law, my love, life's only sweet.

-- Madame Guyon