If I Could Tell You

IF I COULD TELL YOU

by HELEN STEINER RICE



IT'S SUCH A QUIET LOVELY THING
IT DOESN'T ASK FOR MUCH
IT ISN'T UNTAMED LONGING
THAT CRIES FOR PASSION'S TOUCH
IT'S NOT BUILT UPON THE "QUICKSAND"
OF A PAIR OF LIPS AND ARMS
FOR ONLY "FALSE FOUNDATIONS"
ARE RAISED ON PHYSICAL CHARMS
I WISH THAT I COULD TELL YOU
ABOUT THIS THING I FEEL
IT'S INTANGIBLE LIKE GOSSAMER
BUT LIKE A HOOP OF STEEL
IT BINDS ME VERY CLOSE TO YOU
AND OPENS UP THE DOOR
TO MORE REAL DEEP CONTENTMENT
THAN I'VE EVER KNOWN BEFORE
YOU SEE YOUR MUSIC REACHES
BEYOND WHERE WORDS DARE PASS
IT'S LIKE A "SOUL'S COMMUNION"
OR A SACRED HOLY MASS
IT'S SOMETHING INDEFINABLE
LIKE SEA AND SKY AND SOD
IT MIGHT BE JUST ENCHANTMENT
BUT I LIKE TO THINK IT'S GOD.







I HAVE NOT KEPT THIS GOOD NEWS
HIDDEN IN MY HEART, BUT HAVE
PROCLAIMED YOUR LOVINGKINDNESS
AND TRUTH TO ALL THE CONGREGATION.



PSALM 40:10
TLB



I RAISE MY VOICE IN PRAISE
AND TELL OF ALL THE MIRACLES YOU HAVE DONE.



PSALM 26:7
NCV



THAT I MAY PROCLAIM WITH
THE VOICE OF THANKSGIVING
AND DECLARE ALL THY WONDERS.



PSALM 26:7
NAS



THE HEAVENS DECLARE THE GLORY OF GOD,
AND THE SKY DISPLAYS
WHAT HIS HANDS HAVE MADE.



PSALM 19:1
GOD'S WORD



SING TO THE LORD, BLESS HIS NAME;
PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS OF HIS
SALVATION FROM DAY TO DAY.



PSALM 96:2
NKJV



BUT MAY ALL WHO SEEK YOU REJOICE
AND BE GLAD IN YOU;
MAY THOSE WHO LOVE YOUR SALVATION
ALWAYS SAY,
"THE LORD BE EXALTED!"



PSALM 40:16
NIV



THE ONE THING I WANT FROM GOD,
THE THING I SEEK MOST OF ALL, IS THE
PRIVILEGE OF MEDITATING IN HIS TEMPLE,
LIVING IN HIS PRESENCE EVERY DAY OF MY LIFE,
DELIGHTING IN HIS INCOMPARABLE
PERFECTIONS AND GLORY.



PSALM 27:4
TLB