The Happy Man

Millennial Harp (1843), Part II, printed p. 32 (PDF 108); stanzas 3–5 on printed p. 33 (PDF 109).
One staff (treble), melody alone — the hymnal prints no bass for this hymn. G minor, 4/4.
Stanza 1 is the interlinear line under the six systems; stanzas 2–5 are printed as verse.

How happy is the man,
Who has chosen wisdom's ways,
And measured out his span
To his God in prayer and praise.
His God and his Bible
Are all that he desires;
To holiness of heart and life
He constantly aspires;
In poverty he's happy,
For he knows he has a friend
Who never will forsake him,
And on whom he can depend.

He rises in the morning,
With the lark he tunes his lays,
And offers up a tribute
To his God in prayer and praise;
And then unto his labor
He cheerfully repairs,
In confidence believing
His God will hear his prayers.
Whatever he engages in,
At home or far abroad,
His object is to honor
And to glorify his God.

In sickness, pain and sorrow
He never will repine,
While he is drawing nourishment
From Christ the living vine.
When trouble presses heavily,
He leans on Jesus' breast,
And in his precious promises
He finds a quiet rest.
The yoke of Christ is easy,
The burden always light;
They never make him weary
While Canaan is in sight.

'Tis thus you have his history
Through life from day to day;
Religion is no mystery,
It is a beaten way;
And when upon his pillow
He lays him down to die,
His soul in hope rejoices,
For he knows his God is nigh.
And when life's lamp is flickering,
His soul on wings of love
Flies away to realms of glory,
To dwell with Christ above,

Then he'll be forever happy,
For he's joined the holy band,
He's received the crown of glory
And a palm is in his hand;
With saints and priests and prophets,
He'll strike the golden lyre,
And shout loud hallelujahs
With all the heavenly choir.
He's happy now eternally,
His joys are all complete,
With his angels he is bowing
Around the Savior's feet.