University of Virginia Library

CIV. THE SAME.

Hymn 5.

[How oft shall I beseech Thee, Lord]

How oft shall I beseech Thee, Lord,
How oft in anguish pray,
Be mindful of Thy promise-word,
And take my sin away?
The thorn which in my flesh I feel,
O bid it hence depart,
This inbred messenger of hell
Command him from my heart.
These cruel buffetings of sin
I can no longer bear,
I sink beneath this war within,
And perish in despair.
O save me, save me from this hour,
The dying sinner save,
Nor let the greedy pit devour,
Nor let me see the grave.
The grave of hell stands open wide
To swallow up its prey;
Jesu, preserve my soul, and hide,
Throughout the evil day.

468

O send me from Thy holy place
The help laid up on Thee,
Assure me that Thy saving grace
Sufficient is for me.
Sufficient to restrain from sin,
While fierce temptations last,
To save me from the storm within,
Till all the storm is past.
Is not Thy power divinely shown
In man's infirmity?
Make all Thy great salvation known,
Perfect Thy strength in me.
A weaker worm did never yet
Thy promised aid implore,
O hide me from the storm and heat,
Till sin subsists no more.
Safe in the lions' den I lie,
If Thou their rage restrain;
I pass through floods, if Thou art nigh,
And in the flames remain.
Unhurt I bear the fiery test,
And in the furnace shine,
That upon me the power may rest,
The power of love Divine.
Surely I shall as gold come forth,
When Thou my faith hast tried,
Transform'd into my Saviour's worth,
And seven times purified.
A sinner now undone and lost
My misery I confess;
I own it all, yet gladly boast
Of my own helplessness.

469

The God who doth from sin restrain
Shall soon His arm display;
His presence shall with me remain,
The glorious Shechinah.
Jesus shall pitch His tent in me,
And never more remove,
And I shall as my Master be,
Renew'd in spotless love.
Sure as I now His cross sustain,
I soon His crown shall wear,
The glory of my Lord obtain,
And reign for ever there.