1. In the secret of His presence,
How my soul delights to hide!
Oh, how precious are the lessons
Which I learn at Jesu’s side!
Earthly cares can never vex me,
Neither trials lay me low:
For when Satan comes to tempt me,
To the secret place I go,
To the secret place I go.

2. When my soul is faint and thirsty,
’Neath the shadow of His wing
There is cool and pleasant shelter,
And a fresh and crystal spring;
And my Savior rests beside me,
As we hold communion sweet:
If I tried, I could not utter
What He says when thus we meet,
What He says when thus we meet.

3. Only this I know, I tell Him
All my doubts and griefs and fears;
Oh, how patiently He listens,
And my drooping soul He cheers!
Do you think He ne’er reproves me?
What a false friend He would be,
If He never, never told me
Of the sins which He must see,
Of the sins which He must see.

4. Do you think that I could love Him
Half so well, or as I ought,
If He did not tell me plainly
Of each sinful deed and thought?
No, He is very faithful, and
That makes me trust Him more:
For I know that He does love me,
Though He wounds me very sore
Though He wounds me very sore.

5/ Would you like to know the sweetness
Of the secret of the Lord?
Go and hide beneath His shadow;
This shall then be your reward.
And whene’er you leave the silence
Of that happy meeting place
You must mind and bear the image
Of the Master in your face,
Of the Master in your face.

6. You will surely lose the blessing,
And the fullness of your joy,
If you let dark clouds distress you,
And your inward peace destroy;
You may always be abiding,
If you will, at Jesu’s side;
In the secret of His presence
May you every moment hide
May you every moment hide.