University of Virginia Library

LVI. THE SAME.

Hymn 6.

[From the jaws of black despair]

From the jaws of black despair,
From the belly of this hell,
Lord, I send my mournful prayer;
If Thou canst my doom repeal,
If Thou canst, again forgive,
Speak, and bid the sinner live.

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Thou hast long withdrawn Thy grace,
Thou hast punish'd sin by sin:
Ere Thine utmost wrath take place,
Ere the gulf is fix'd between,
Hear mine agonizing cry,
O forgive, and let me die!
Let my punishment be o'er,
Grant my wretched heart's desire,
Let me die, to sin no more,
Let me at Thy feet expire,
Now Thy pardoning love impart,
Sprinkle now, and break my heart.
Do not let me live to sin,
O remove the mountain load,
Quench the hell I feel within
By Thine all-atoning blood,
Bear me on the purple wave,
Waft me to the silent grave.