Only God Can Bring Us Gladness

Only God can bring us gladness,
Only God can give us peace;
Joys are vain that end in sadness,
Joy divine shall never cease.
Mid the shade of want and sorrow
Undisturbed, our hearts rejoice;
Patient, wait the brighter morrow;
Faithful, heed the Father’s voice.

As the stars in order going,
All-harmonious, He doth move;
Heavenly calm and comfort showing,
Comes the healing word of love.
Who the word of wisdom heareth
Feels the Father Love within,
Where as dawn the shadow cleareth,
Love outshines the night of sin.

So we find the true atonement,
Know in God the perfect Friend;
For in love is our atonement,
Where all hearts in Him may blend.
Here from prisoning pain and sorrow
Have we all a sure release,
Only God can bring us gladness,
Only God can give us peace.

Author: Frederic W. Root

Year: 1887

This hymn text first appeared in the 1887 Christian Science Hymnal (and subsequent editions). Frederic W. Root (1846–1916) is the credited lyricist; the tune is by his father, George F. Root. No widely recognized alternate attributions exist.