The poetical works of John and Charles Wesley

The Lord my great salvation is,
My life and health, my joy and peace,
My light, my comfort, and my power.
Whom shall I now submit to fear?
Though hell, the world, and sin are near,
They never shall my soul devour.

To swallow up my soul they came;
But, arm'd with faith in Jesu's name,
I more than conquer'd them in fight;
They stumbled on my Rock, and fell;
And should their host again assail,
I scorn to fear their baffled might.

I trust in an almighty Lord;
He shall fulfil His gracious word,
And grant the blessing I require:
That I throughout my happy days
May in His house record His praise;
This, this is all my heart's desire:

Still in His hallow'd courts to dwell,
To see the Great Invisible,
And ever on His beauties gaze;
The channels of His grace attend,
Till perfect grace in glory end,
And I in heaven behold His face.

My soul, distress'd on every side,
He shall in His pavilion hide,
And in His secret place secure:
God shall direct my wandering feet,
And on a Rock of safety set,
And make in Christ my goings sure.

Even now He lifteth up my head,
And, lo! on all my foes I tread,
Conqueror of sin, and earth, and hell;
Wherefore I in His house will sing,
With grateful joy, my God and King,
And all His glorious praises tell.

Still then to Thee for help I cry:
Regard me with a pitying eye,
And answer me in pardoning grace;
Soon as I hear Thy Spirit speak,
“Turn, wandering heart, thy Saviour seek,”
My heart repents, believes, obeys.

Thy favour will I seek again:
Ah! do not, Lord, my soul disdain,
Nor hide Thy face, nor stop Thine ear!
Thou hast my help in troubles been;
O leave me not a prey to sin!
O God of my salvation, hear!

When left by all, and void of hope,
Surely the Lord shall take me up,
And guide me in His perfect way.
Hell, earth, and sin my course oppose;
Bear me, O God, through all my foes,
Nor suffer them my soul to slay.

False witnesses against me rise,
And hurt my soul with cruel lies;
(Their father in his children speaks;)
The' Accuser of the brethren stands,
My life his forfeiture demands,
And still my death eternal seeks.

My spirit utterly had fail'd,
Had not the' almighty God upheld,
And wrought a patient hope in me;—
Hope against hope to' obtain His grace,
To see on earth His glorious face,—
His face in holiness to see.

Wherefore, to all I cry, “Believe!
Sinner, the faithful word receive,
Away with thy despairing fear!
Thy God His nature shall impart;
Believe, and He shall change thy heart,
And He shall make thee perfect here.”

University of Virginia Library

PSALM XXVII.

[The Lord my great salvation is]