自伯大尼

 

一  自伯大尼你與我們分手後，

我心有個真空無可補滿；

我坐河濱，將琴掛在柳枝頭，

你不在此，我怎有心鼓彈？

當我深夜孤獨安靜的時候，

（此時我無忍受，我也無享受，）

不禁歎息，我想著你是多遠，

我想著你應許已久的歸旋。

 

二  你的馬槽使我生無家之想，

你的苦架使我無所欲喜；

你的再來使我懷未見之鄉，

你的自己成我追求目的。

你不在此，喜樂已減它滋味，

詩歌也缺它所應有的甜美；

你不在此，終日我若有所失，

主阿，我要你來，我不要你遲。

 

三  雖我在此也能享受你同在，

但我深處依然有個缺憾：

雖然有你光照，也有你撫愛，

有個甚麼我不知仍不滿！

平安裹面，我卻仍感受孤單，

喜樂時候，我仍不免有吁歎；

最是足意中間，也有不足意，

就是我還不能當面看見你。

 

四  亡人怎不想見生辰的鄉邑？

俘虜怎不想見故國故人？

情人分離，怎不一心羈兩地？

兒女遠遊，怎不思家思親？

主阿，我想看見你面的心意，

還非這些人間情形可比擬；

現今在此，我無法見你丰采，

是否只好歎息等到你回來！

 

五  主，你能否忘記你曾經應許，

你要回來，接我與同在？

但一天天又一年年的過去；

我仍等候，你卻仍未回來！

求你紀念，我已等得好疲倦，

而你蹤跡好像當初一樣遠！

多久？多久？還有多久的時候，

你纔應驗應許來把我提走？

 

六  日出日落，一世過去又一代，

你的聖徒生活、等候、安睡；

一位一位，他們已逐漸離開，

一次一次，我們望你快回。

我主，為何你仍沒有顯動靜，

天仍閉住，我們觀看仍對鏡，

我們在此依然等候再等候，

哎呀，是否我們等候還不夠？

 

七  當我回想，我已等候多長久，

不禁歎息，低頭獨自流淚；

求你別再遲延不聽我要求，

現今就來接我與你相會。

來罷，我主，這是教會的求呼！

來罷，我主，請聽聖徒的催促！

來罷，歷世歷代累積的共嗚，

我主，能否求你今天一起聽！

 

 

SINCE LONG AGO AT BETHANY

 

1. Since long ago at Bethany we parted,

Within my heart there is a ceaseless void;

How can I take my harp down from the willow?

How can my songs without Thee be enjoyed?

And when at night I'm keeping lonely vigil -

Grown numb alike to sorrow and to cheer -

Then I recall the promise of Thy coming,

But sigh: O Lord, why, why Thou dost not yet appear?

 

2. Thy manger wakes the thought: I too am homeless;

Thy cross strips earthly pleasures from my soul;

Thy coming bids me seek a better country,

For Thou Thyself art now my final goal.

Since Thou art gone, my joy has lost its flavor;

My song the sweetness I would fain convey.

Since Thou art gone, the sense of void o'erwhelms me.

Oh, how I long that Thou wilt come and not delay.

 

3. Though even now I know Thy loving presence,

Yet in my heart there's still a sense of lack.

Enlightening and tenderest sustaining

Can no more satisfy: I want Thee back.

Despite Thy peace within, I still feel lonely;

Despite Thy joy, there still remains a sigh;

When I feel most content, the silent yearning

To see Thee face to face becomes an uttered cry.

 

4. What exile cannot but desire his homeland

And long his people once again to greet?

What soul on alien soil forgets his kindred?

What parted lovers never yearn to meet?

O Lord, how can these earthly loves and pleasures

With all the joy of Thy return compare?

Then, if I cannot here behold Thy countenance,

What can I do but sigh till Thou, my Lord, appear?

 

5. Could'st Thou, O Lord, forget Thy word of promise

Soon to return and take me unto Thee?

Yet day by day and year by year I've waited,

And still I wait, and no return I see!

Remember, Lord, the years I have been waiting

While Thy dear footsteps linger far away.

How long? How long? Oh! must I wait still longer

Till Thou shalt come again in glorious array?

 

6. From generation unto generation

Thy saints have come and gone, but have not seen

Thy glorious promise pass into fulfilment.

How long, how very long the time has been!

Why cannot we, dear Lord, discern Thy footsteps?

Why are the heavens still so closely sealed?

Oh! must our waiting be prolonged still further

Before Thou in Thy matchless splendor art revealed?

 

7. Lord, I recall the many years I've waited

For Thy return - yet, Lord, not I alone,

But Thy dear saints through many generations -

Beseeching Thee to come back for Thine own.

To countless tears and countless fervent pleadings,

By Thine appearing haste to make reply.

Oh, may Thou come, the echo of the ages,

Come, come and answer now this mighty corp'rate cry!