In the Floods of Tribulation

In the floods of tri­bu­la­tion

While the bil­lows o’er me roll;

Jesus whis­pers con­so­la­tion

And supports my faint­ing soul.

Thus the li­on yields me ho­ney;

From the ea­ter food is giv’n;

Strengthened thus

I still press for­ward

Singing as I wade to Heav’n:

Sweet af­flict­ion! sweet af­flict­ion

That brings Je­sus to my soul!

’Mid the gloom

the vi­vid light­nings

With in­creas­èd bright­ness play;

’Mid the thorn brake

beau­te­ous flow­ers

Look more beau­ti­ful and gay;

So in dark­est dis­pen­sa­tions

Doth my faith­ful Lord ap­pear

With His rich­est con­so­la­tions

To re­ani­mate and cheer:

Sweet af­flict­ion! sweet af­flict­ion

Thus to bring my Sav­ior near.

Floods of tri­bu­la­tion height­en

Billows still around me roar;

Those who know not Christ—ye fright­en;

But my soul de­fies your pow­er.

In the sac­red page re­cord­ed

Thus His word se­cure­ly stands—

Fear not

I’m in trou­ble near thee

Naught shall pluck thee from My hands;

Sweet af­flict­ion! sweet af­flict­ion

That to words so sweet lays claim!

All I meet I find as­sist me

In my path to heav’n­ly joy;

Where

though tri­als now at­tend me

Trials nev­er more an­noy;

Wearing there a crown of glo­ry

Still the path I’ll ne’er for­get;

This shall be my plea­sant sto­ry

When ar­rived at Je­sus’ seat:

Sweet af­flict­ion! Sweet af­flict­ion

Brought me to my Sav­ior’s feet!