New Zealand Minstrelsy [electronic resource]

THE PENITENT’S PRAYER.

From Psalm xxx, 7, 8, 9, 10; cxliii, 7, 8, 9.
Tune—“Maid of Islay.”

Why, my soul, thus sunk in sorrow,
Why go mourning all day long!
Oh! what language can I borrow,
To express my grief so strong!
Woe-begone and wrung with anguish,
Hopeless, helpless, now am I!
’Neath the curse of Heav’n I languish,
Can I now for mercy cry.

I’ve in sin been long rebelling,
Spurning God’s most sacred laws,
Oft his Spirit’s powers repelling,
As he strove to plead his cause;
Sore provoked, he’s fled for ever,
Left me wretched in despair.
Might he yet return? Ah! never!—
Ne’er can I in mercy share.

Hell, my terror, yawns to have me,
Satan claims me as his prey;—
Fool-undone! ah, who can save me?
Can I dare for mercy pray?
Help, oh help me, Jesus Saviour!
Who can save me now but thee?—
Though unworthy of such favour,
Surely thou hast died for me.

But his blood I’ve long derided,
Can I hope for pardon free?
Let me to thy cross be guided;
Let me yield myself to thee.
Thee I trust, O Saviour!—snatch me
From this death—a fearful doom!
In thy fold receive and watch me,
From thy side no more to roam.