Classic Poem

Not Thou from us, O Lord, but we
Withdraw ourselves from thee.

When we are dark and dead,
And thou art covered with a cloud,
Hanging before thee, like a shroud,
So that our prayer can find no way,
Oh! teach us that we do not say,
" Where is thy brightness fled? "

But that we search and try
What in ourselves has wrought this blame;
For thou remainest still the same,
But earth's own vapors earth may fill
With darkness and thick clouds, while still
The sun is in the sky.