Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 54

Imploring Forgiveness and Renewal of Heart.

1 Forgive us for thy mercy's sake; Our mult.i.tude of sins forgive; And for thy own possession take, And bid us to thy glory live; Live in thy sight and gladly prove Our faith by our obedient love.

2 The covenant of forgiveness seal, And all thy mighty wonders show; Our hidden enemies expel, And conquering them to conquer go, Till all of pride and wrath be slain, And not one evil thought remain.

3 O, put it in our inward parts The living law of perfect love: Write the new precept on our hearts; We shall not then from thee remove, Who in thy glorious image s.h.i.+ne, Thy people, and forever thine.

326. L. M. Beddome.

Inconstancy Lamented.

1 The wandering star and fleeting wind Are emblems of the fickle mind; The morning cloud and early dew Bring our inconstancy to view.

2 But cloud and wind and dew and star, Only a faint resemblance bear; Nor can there aught in nature be So changeable and frail as we.

3 Our outward walk and inward frame Are scarcely through an hour the same: We vow, and straight our vows forget, And then those very vows repeat.

4 With contrite hearts, Lord, we confess Our folly and unsteadfastness: When shall these hearts more stable be, Fixed by thy grace alone on thee?

327. S. M. Jervis.

G.o.d's Mercy to the Penitent.

1 Sweet is the friendly voice Which speaks of life and peace; Which bids the penitent rejoice, And sin and sorrow cease.

2 No balm on earth like this Can cheer the contrite heart; No flattering dreams of earthly bliss Such pure delight impart.

3 Still merciful and kind, Thy mercy, Lord, reveal: The broken heart thy love can bind, The wounded spirit heal.

4 Thy presence shall restore Peace to my anxious breast: Lord, let my steps be drawn no more From paths which thou hast blessed.

328. L. M. Doddridge.

Returning to G.o.d.

1 Lord, we have wandered from thy way, Like foolish sheep have gone astray, Our pleasant pastures we have left, And of their guard our souls bereft.

2 Exposed to want, exposed to harm, Far from our gentle Shepherd's arm; Nor will these fatal wanderings cease, Till thou reveal the paths of peace.

3 O seek thy thoughtless servants, Lord, Nor let us quite forget thy word; Our erring feet do thou restore, And keep us that we stray no more.

329. L. M. Steele.

Sense of Sin.

1 Jesus demands this heart of mine, Demands my love, my joy, my care, But ah, how dead to things divine, How cold my best affections are!

2 'Tis sin, alas! with dreadful power, Divides my Saviour from my sight; O, for one happy, s.h.i.+ning hour Of sacred freedom, sweet delight!

3 Come, gracious Lord; thy love can raise My captive powers from sin and death, And fill my heart and life with praise, And tune my last, expiring breath.

330. C. M. Breviary.

The True Penitent.

1 O sinner! bring not tears alone, Or outward form of prayer: But let it in thy heart be known That penitence is there.

2 To beat the breast, the clothes to rend, G.o.d asketh not of thee: Thy secret soul he bids thee bend In true humility.

3 O righteous Judge! if thou wilt deign To grant us what we need; We pray for time to turn again, And grace to turn indeed.

331. L. M. Richter.

Translated by J. Wesley.

Devout Penitence.

1 My soul before thee prostrate lies; To thee, her source, my spirit flies; My wants I mourn, my chains I see; O let thy presence set me free.

2 In life's short day, let me yet more Of thy enlivening power implore; My mind must deeper sink in thee, My foot stand firm from wandering free.

3 Take full possession of my heart; The lowly mind of Christ impart; I still will wait, O Lord, on thee, Till, in thy light, the light I see.