L.M. Matthew xvii. 4. 1 LORD! it is good for us to be High on the mountain here with thee Here in an ampler, purer air, Above the stir of toil and care, Of hearts opprest with doubt and grief, Believing in their unbelief, Calling thy servants all in vain To ease them of their bitter pain.
2 Lord! it is good for us to be Where rest the souls that dwell with thee Where stand revealed to mortal gaze The great old saints of other days, Who once received on Horeb's height The eternal laws of truth and right; Or caught the still small whisper, higher Than storm, than earthquake, or than fire.
3 Lord! it is good for us to be With thee, and with thy faithful three: Here, where the apostle's heart of rock Is nerved against temptation's shock; Here, where the son of thunder learns The thought that breathes, the word that burns, Here, where on eagles' wings we move With him whose last, best word is love.
4 Lord! it is good for us to be Entranced, enwrapped, alone with thee, Watching the glistening raiment glow Whiter than Hermon's whitest snow, The human lineaments which shine Irradiant with a light divine, Till we, too, change from grace to grace, Gazing on that transfigured grace.
5 Lord! it is good for us to be In life's worst anguish close to thee, Within the overshadowing cloud Which wraps us in its awful shroud; We wist not what to think or say, Our spirits sink in sore dismay; They tell us of the dread "decease:" But yet to linger here is peace.
6 Lord! it is good for us to be Here on the holy mount with thee, When darkling in the depths of night, When dazzled with excess of light, We bow before the heavenly voice Which bids bewildered souls rejoice: Though love wax cold, and faith grow dim, This is my Son: O hear ye him!
