p. 38 | ISHI | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 19, 1870

ISHI

Thou shalt call me Ishi [my husband], and shalt call me no more Baali [my Lord], and I will betroth thee unto me forever. Hosea 2:16, 19.

Oh! my heart is full of laughter, And I'm very, very glad; For I have a precious treasure, Such as princes never had. Ishi! Ishi! is the Jewel, Mine He is while ages roll, Angels taste not of the glory, Holy Ishi, of the soul.

All my love no tongue can utter, All its wondrous depths and power, Growing deeper, growing stronger, Day by day, and hour by hour. Ishi! Ishi! night and morning, From my lips that holy name, All the while my soul exalting, In the self-same joyous strain.

Many beauteous names thou bearest, Brother, Shepherd, Friend, and King; But they none unto my spirit, Such divine support can bring. Other joys are short and fleeting, Thou and I can never part; Thou art altogether lovely, Ishi! Ishi! of my heart.

Earthly loves are very lovely, Passing, passing fair, they seem; But they come and go before me, Like some bright and happy dream. Thou art a reality, From which, like dreams, I never wake, These I cast aside as nothing, Ishi! Ishi! for thy sake.

In thy own fair realms of glory In the holiest above; Choirs of angels chant the story, Of thy wondrous, matchless love. All my longings are contented, All my wanderings turn to thee; Polestar of my restless spirit— Ishi! all in all to me.

When the sun of life is setting; When the shades of evening fall; And upon earth's fairest visions, Cometh darkness like a pall; Then, O Ishi! well beloved, I shall see thy glorious face; Finding in thy lovely bosom My eternal resting place.

—Selected for Review.