SandraMcCrackenHymns

In The Secret Of His Presence

This is the only one on the album that I didn’t write. I love Chris Miner’s version of this song from his album All Good Things Come From The Desert. It expresses such intimacy. This was the song that really lit a fire for me to make this album at long last. Many of these melodies I had written over years, but this song gave me a vision to actually finish this project. I wanted to make something that had this vulnerability and melancholy to it. I don’t think we have quite enough of that in modern church music. I think sometimes we think church music should be sunny or majestic, but for me, that’s not where I live most of the time. I live more in longing and hope, in both joy and sorrow. I want to make music that people can find themselves in, not as they think they should be.

Lyrics

In the secret of His presence
How my soul delights to hide!
Oh, how precious are the lessons
Which I learn at Jesus’ side!
Earthly cares forever vex me,
all my trials lay me low;
But when Satan comes to tempt me,
To the secret place I go.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.

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.

Would you like to know that 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,
By the Spirit bear the image
Of the Master in your face.

words by ELLEN GOREH, music by CHRISTOPHER MINER