title: God is Love (St. John)
author: Henry Livingston Jr.
date: 1827
source: manuscript book of daughter Jane Livingston (Thomas Collection), poems in Henry Livingston's hand; "For my beloved daughter Jane. H. L.", aged 78. URL: https://www.henrylivingston.com/writing/poetry/godislove.htm (fetched via https://web.archive.org/web/20250521032834/https://www.henrylivingston.com/writing/poetry/godislove.htm)
form: iambic tetrameter
lines: 32
attribution: certain
notes: Serious religious poem, anaphora "I LOVE". Site heading/headnote: GOD IS LOVE. | St. John. MS scan: https://www.henrylivingston.com/writing/poetry/janesdoublepages/p60-p61.htm

I LOVE my feeble voice to raise
In humble pray'r and ardent praise
Till my rapt soul attains that height
When all is glory and delight.

I LOVE to read the book of Heav'n
Which Grace to fall'n man has giv'n;
Where evr'y page and evr'y line
Proclaims its origin divine.

I LOVE that consecrated Fane
Where GOD has stamp'd his holy name:

United with my brethren there
We hear the word and join in pray'r.

I LOVE to join the pious few
And there the covenant renew,
Recount our joys, relate our grief
And jointly ask from GOD relief.

I LOVE on Pity's wing to fly
To sooth the deep expiring sigh,
To wipe the tear from wan distress
And light a smile on Sorrow's face.

I LOVE to view domestic bliss
Bound with the ligature of peace,
Where Parents - Children - All agree
To tune the lute of harmony.

I LOVE the morning's roseate ray,
I bless the glorious march of day,
And when the lulling ev'ning comes
I love the night amidst its glooms.

I LOVE to anticipate the day
When the freed spirit wings its way
To the Jerusalem above
Where reigns 'th eternal SOURCE of LOVE.