Gadsby's Hymnal
#1001 L.M. John Newton
The Sabbath of Rest. Exod. 31. 15; 35. 2
1 How welcome to the saints, when pressed
With six days’ noise, and care, and toil,
Is the returning day of rest,
Which hides them from the world awhile!
2 Now, from the throng withdrawn away,
They seem to breathe a different air;
Composed and softened by the day,
All things another aspect wear.
3 How happy if their lot is cast
Where statedly the gospel sounds!
The word is honey to their taste,
Renews their strength and heals their wounds.
4 With joy they hasten to the place
Where they their Saviour oft have met;
And while they feast upon his grace,
Their burdens and their griefs forget.
5 This favoured lot, my friends, is ours;
May we the privilege highly prize,
And find these consecrated hours
Sweet earnests of immortal joys.
1002 C.M. J. Montgomery
Prayer. Dan. 9. 3; Acts. 6. 4; Phil. 4. 6
1 Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire,
Uttered or unexpressed;
The motion of a hidden fire,
That trembles in the breast.
2 Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear;
The upward glancing of an eye,
When none but God is near.
3 Prayer is the contrite sinner’s voice,
Returning from his ways;
While angels in their songs rejoice,
And cry, “Behold, he prays!”
4 The saints in prayer appear as one,
In word, and deed, and mind;
While with the Father and the Son,
Sweet fellowship they find.
5 Nor prayer is made on earth alone;
The Holy Spirit pleads;
And Jesus, on the eternal throne,
For sinners intercedes.
6 O thou by whom we come to God,
The Life, the Truth, the Way!
The path of prayer thyself hast trod;
Lord, teach us how to pray.
1003 C.M. Isaac Watts
Breathing after Holiness. Ps. 119. 5, 29-37, 133
1 O that the Lord would guide my ways
To keep his statutes still!
O that my God would grant me grace
To know and do his will.
2 O send thy Spirit down to write
Thy law upon my heart!
Nor let my tongue indulge deceit,
Nor act the liar’s part.
3 From vanity turn off my eyes;
Let no corrupt design,
Nor covetous desires, arise
Within this soul of mine.
4 Order my footsteps by thy word,
And make my heart sincere;
Let sin have no dominion, Lord,
But keep my conscience clear.
5 Make me to walk in thy commands;
’Tis a delightful road;
Nor let my head, or heart, or hands,
Offend against my God.
1004 L.M. Isaac Watts
Original and actual sin confessed. Ps. 51. 1-9; Rom. 5. 12
1 Lord, I am vile, conceived in sin,
And born unholy and unclean;
Sprung from the man whose guilty fall
Corrupts the race, and taints us all.
2 Soon as we draw our infant breath,
The seeds of sin grow up for death;
The law demands a perfect heart;
But we’re defiled in every part.
3 Behold, I fall before thy face;
My only refuge is thy grace;
Not outward forms can make me clean –
The leprosy lies deep within.
4 Jesus, my Lord! thy blood alone
Has power sufficient to atone;
Thy blood can make me white as snow;
No Jewish types could cleanse me so.
5 While guilt disturbs and breaks my peace,
Nor flesh, nor soul, has rest or ease;
Lord, let me hear thy pardoning voice,
And make my broken bones rejoice.
1005 C.M. Isaac Watts
Jesus, the Lamb of God, worshipped. Rev. 5. 11-13
1 Come, let us join our cheerful songs
With angels round the throne;
Ten thousand thousand are their tongues,
But all their joys are one.
2 “Worthy the Lamb that died,” they cry,
“To be exalted thus.”
“Worthy the Lamb,” our lips reply,
“For he was slain for us.”
3 Jesus is worthy to receive
Honour and power divine;
And blessings more than we can give,
Be, Lord, for ever thine.
4 Let all that dwell above the sky,
And air, and earth, and seas,
Conspire to lift thy glories high,
And speak thy endless praise.
5 The whole creation join in one,
To bless the sacred name
Of him that sits upon the throne,
And to adore the Lamb.
1006 L.M. Isaac Watts
Christ our Wisdom and Righteousness. 1 Cor. 1. 30
1 Buried in shadows of the night,
We lie till Christ restores the light;
Wisdom descends to heal the blind,
And chase the darkness of the mind.
2 Our guilty souls are drowned in tears,
Till his atoning blood appears;
Then we awake from deep distress,
And sing, “The Lord our righteousness.”
3 Our very frame is mixed with sin;
His Spirit makes our conscience clean;
Such virtues from his sufferings flow,
At once to cleanse and pardon too.
4 Jesus beholds where Satan reigns,
Binding his slaves in heavy chains;
He sets the prisoners free, and breaks
The iron bondage from our necks.
5 Poor helpless worms in thee possess
Grace, wisdom, power, and righteousness;
Thou art our mighty All; may we
Give our whole selves, O Lord, to thee.
1007 L.M. Isaac Watts
The Christian Warfare. 1 Tim. 1. 18; 6. 12
1 Stand up, my soul, shake off thy fears,
And gird the gospel-armour on;
March to the gates of endless joy,
Where thy great Captain-Saviour’s gone.
2 Hell and thy sins resist thy course,
But hell and sin are vanquished foes;
Thy Jesus nailed them to the cross,
And sang the triumph when he rose.
3 What though thy inward lusts rebel?
’Tis but a struggling gasp for life;
The weapons of victorious grace
Shall slay thy sins, and end the strife.
4 Then may my soul march boldly on,
Press forward to the heavenly gate;
There peace and joy eternal reign,
And glittering robes for conquerors wait.
1008 L.M. Lock Chapel Collection
“Quicken us, and we will call upon thy name.” Ps. 80. 18
1 Come, Holy Spirit, calm my mind,
And fit me to approach my God;
Remove each vain, each worldly thought,
And lead me to thy blest abode.
2 Hast thou imparted to my soul
A living spark of heavenly fire?
O kindle now the sacred flame!
Teach me to burn with pure desire.
3 Impress upon my wandering heart
The love that Christ for sinners bore;
And give a new, a contrite heart,
A heart the Saviour to adore.
1009 C.M. (Author Unknown)
“Heal my soul.” Ps. 41. 4; 6. 2; Jer. 17. 14
1 Lord, I approach thy throne of grace,
Where mercy does abound,
Desiring mercy for my sin,
To heal my soul’s deep wound.
2 O Lord, I need not to repeat
What I would humbly crave,
For thou dost know, before I ask,
The thing that I would have.
3 Mercy, good Lord, mercy I ask;
This is the total sum;
For mercy, Lord, is all my suit;
O let thy mercy come.
1010 C.M. A. Steele
“Hear the prayer of thy servant.” Dan. 9. 17
1 Father, whate’er of earthly bliss
Thy sovereign will denies,
Accepted at thy throne of grace,
Let this petition rise:
2 “Give me a calm, a thankful heart,
From every murmur free;
The blessings of thy grace impart,
And make me live to thee.
3 “Let the sweet hope that thou art mine,
My life and death attend;
Thy presence through my journey shine,
And crown my journey’s end.”
1011 C.M. Isaac Watts
God’s Presence is Light in Darkness. Luke 1. 78, 79
1 My God, the spring of all my joys,
The life of my delights,
The glory of my brightest days,
And comfort of my nights.
2 In darkest shades if he appear,
My dawning is begun;
He is my soul’s sweet morning star,
And he my rising sun.
3 The opening heavens around me shine
With beams of sacred bliss,
While Jesus shows his heart is mine,
And whispers I am his.
4 My soul would leave this heavy clay,
At that transporting word,
Run up with joy the shining way,
To embrace my dearest Lord.
5 Fearless of hell and ghastly death,
I’d break through every foe;
The wings of love and arms of faith
Should bear me conqueror through.
1012 S.M. T. Kelly
“Himself he cannot save.” Mat. 27. 42; Mk. 15. 31
1 “Himself he cannot save.”
Insulting foe, ’tis true;
The words a gracious meaning have,
Though meant in scorn by you.
2 “Himself he cannot save.”
This is his highest praise.
Himself for others’ sake he gave,
And suffers in their place.
3 It were an easy part
For him the cross to fly;
But love to sinners fills his heart,
And makes him choose to die.
4 ’Tis love the cause unfolds,
The deep mysterious cause,
Why he who all the world upholds,
Hangs upon yonder cross.
5 Let carnal Jews blaspheme,
And worldly wisdom mock;
The Saviour’s cross shall be my theme,
And Christ himself my Rock.
1013 C.M. T. Kelly
“Ye shall be my sons and daughters.” 2 Cor. 6. 18
1 There is a family on earth,
Whose Father fills a throne!
But though a seed of heavenly birth,
To men they’re little known.
2 Whene’er they meet the public eye,
They feel the public scorn;
For men their fairest claims deny,
And count them basely born.
3 But ’tis the King who reigns above,
That claims them for his own;
The favoured objects of his love,
And destined to a throne.
4 But when the King himself was here,
His claims were set at nought;
Would they another lot prefer?
Rejected be the thought!
5 No; they will tread, while here below,
The path their Master trod;
Content all honour to forego,
But that which comes from God.
1014 8.7.4. T. Kelly
“Love as brethren.” 1 Pet. 3. 8; Gal. 6. 2
1 Brethren, let us walk together
In the bonds of love and peace;
Can it be a question whether
Brethren should from conflict cease?
’Tis in union
Hope, and joy, and love increase.
2 While we journey homeward, let us
Help each other in the road;
Foes on every side beset us;
Snares through all the way are strewed;
It behoves us
Each to bear a brother’s load.
3 When we think how much our Father
Has forgiven, and does forgive,
Brethren, we should learn the rather
Free from wrath and strife to live,
Far removing
All that might offend or grieve.
4 Then, let each esteem his brother
Better than himself to be;
And let each prefer another,
Full of love, from envy free;
Happy are we,
When in this we all agree.
1015 S.M. Isaac Watts
Divine Compassion. Ps. 103. 8-12; Isa. 43. 25
1 My soul, repeat his praise,
Whose mercies are so great,
Whose anger is so slow to rise,
So ready to abate.
2 God will not always chide;
And, when his strokes are felt,
His strokes are fewer than our crimes,
And lighter than our guilt.
3 High as the heavens are raised
Above the ground we tread,
So far the riches of his grace
Our highest thoughts exceed.
4 His power subdues our sins,
And his forgiving love,
Far as the east is from the west,
Does all our guilt remove.
1016 L.M. C. Wesley
“Thy mercy, O Lord, held me up.” Ps. 94. 18
1 God of my life, thy gracious power
Through varied deaths my soul has led;
Oft turned aside the fatal hour,
Or lifted up my sinking head.
2 Whither, O whither should I fly,
But to the loving Saviour’s breast?
Secure within thy arms to lie,
And safe beneath thy wings to rest.
3 I have no skill the snare to shun,
But thou, O Christ, my wisdom art:
I ever into ruin run,
But thou art greater than my heart.
4 Foolish, and impotent, and blind,
Lead me the way thy saints have known;
Bring me where I my heaven may find,
The heaven of loving thee alone.
1017 L.M. John Newton
“I said, I shall never be moved.” Ps. 30. 6
1 The peace of which I had a taste
When Jesus first his love revealed,
I fondly hoped would always last,
Because my foes were then concealed.
2 But when I felt the tempter’s power
Rouse my corruptions from their sleep,
I trembled at the stormy hour,
And saw the horrors of the deep.
3 Now on presumption’s billows borne,
My spirit seemed the Lord to dare,
Now, quick as thought, a sudden turn
Plunged me in gulfs of black despair.
4 “Lord, save me, or I sink,” I prayed;
He heard, and bade the tempest cease;
The angry waves his word obeyed,
And all my fears were hushed to peace.
5 The peace is his, and not my own,
My heart (no better than before)
Is still to dreadful changes prone;
Then let me never trust it more.
1018 L.M. Augustus Toplady
“He causeth his wind to blow.” Ps. 147. 18
1 At anchor laid, remote from home,
Toiling, I cry, “Sweet Spirit, come;
Celestial breeze, no longer stay,
But swell my sails, and speed my way.”
2 Fain would I mount, fain would I glow,
And loose my cable from below;
But I can only spread my sail;
Thou, thou must breathe the auspicious gale.
1019 L.M. C. Wesley
“Oh that I knew where I might find him!” Job 23. 3
1 O that my load of sin were gone!
O that I could at last submit
At Jesus’ feet to lay it down,
To lay my soul at Jesus’ feet !
2 When shall my eyes behold the Lamb,
The God of my salvation see?
Weary, O Lord, thou know’st I am;
Yet still I cannot come to thee.
3 Rest for my soul I long to find;
Saviour, if mine indeed thou art,
Give me thy meek and lowly mind,
And stamp thy image on my heart.
4 I would, but thou must give me power,
My heart from every sin release;
Bring near, bring near, the joyful hour,
And fill me with thy heavenly peace.
1020 C.M. John Newton
“But when a stronger than he shall come.” Luke 11. 22
1 The castle of the human heart,
Strong in its native sin,
Is guarded well in every part
By him who dwells within.
2 For Satan there in arms resides,
And calls the place his own;
With care against assaults provides,
And rules as on a throne.
3 But Jesus, stronger far than he,
In his appointed hour,
Appears to set his people free
From the usurper’s power.
4 “This heart I bought with blood,” he says,
“And now it shall be mine;”
His voice the strong one armed dismays;
He knows he must resign.
5 In spite of unbelief, and pride,
And self, and Satan’s art,
The gates of brass fly open wide,
And Jesus wins the heart.
1021 L.M. T. Kelly
“By the rivers of Babylon there we sat down.” Ps. 137. 1
1 O Zion, when I think on thee,
I wish for pinions like the dove,
And mourn to think that I should be
So distant from the place I love.
2 A captive here, and far from home,
For Zion’s sacred walls I sigh;
To Zion all the ransomed come,
And see the Saviour eye to eye.
3 While here, I walk on hostile ground;
The few that I can call my friends
Are, like myself, with fetters bound,
And weariness our steps attends.
4 But yet we shall behold the day,
When Zion’s children shall return;
Our sorrows then shall flee away,
And we shall never, never mourn.
5 The hope that such a day will come
Makes e’en the captive’s portion sweet;
Though now we wander far from home,
In Zion soon we all shall meet.
1022 C.M. Isaac Watts
Desiring the Heavenly Canaan. Heb. 11. 16
1 There is a land of pure delight,
Where saints immortal reign;
Infinite day excludes the night,
And pleasures banish pain.
2 There everlasting spring abides,
And never-withering flowers;
Death, like a narrow sea, divides
This heavenly land from ours.
3 O could we make our doubts remove,
These gloomy doubts that rise,
And see the Canaan that we love
With unbeclouded eyes;
4 Could we but climb where Moses stood,
And view the landscape o’er,
Not Jordan’s stream, nor death’s cold flood,
Should fright us from the shore.
1023 L.M. WIlliam Cowper
I dwell with him that is of a humble spirit. Isa. 57. 15
1 Jesus, where’er thy people meet,
There they behold thy mercy-seat;
Where’er they seek thee thou art found,
And every place is hallowed ground.
2 For thou, within no walls confined,
Inhabitest the humble mind;
Such ever bring thee where they come,
And going, take thee to their home.
3 Dear Shepherd of thy chosen few,
Thy former mercies here renew;
Here to our waiting hearts proclaim
The sweetness of thy saving name.
4 Here may we prove the power of prayer
To strengthen faith, and sweeten care;
To teach our faint desires to rise,
And bring all heaven before our eyes.
1024 C.M. C. Wesley
“Create in me a clean heart.” Ps. 51. 10; Prov. 20. 9
1 O for a heart to praise the Lord,
A heart from sin set free,
A heart that’s sprinkled with the blood
So freely shed for me.
2 A heart resigned, submissive, meek;
The great Redeemer’s throne;
Where only Christ is heard to speak,
Where Jesus reigns alone.
3 A humble, lowly, contrite heart,
Believing, true, and clean,
Which neither life nor death can part
From him that dwells within.
4 Thy nature, gracious Lord, impart;
Come quickly from above;
Write thy new name upon my heart,
Thy new, best name of Love.
1025 C.M. John Newton
“They shall look on him whom they pierced.” John 19. 37.
1 In evil long I took delight,
Unawed by shame or fear,
Till a new object struck my sight,
And stopped my wild career.
2 I saw One hanging on a tree,
In agonies and blood,
Who fixed his languid eyes on me,
As near his cross I stood.
3 Sure never till my latest breath
Can I forget that look;
It seemed to charge me with his death,
Though not a word he spoke.
4 My conscience felt and owned the guilt,
And plunged me in despair;
I saw my sins his blood had spilt,
And helped to nail him there.
5 A second look he gave, which said,
“I freely all forgive;
This blood is for thy ransom paid;
I die that thou may’st live.”
1026 148th Henry Fowler
“Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” Rom. 5. 20.
1 Not one of Adam’s race
But is by sin undone,
Deep sunk in foul disgrace,
And righteousness has none;
And this, when brought through grace to know,
Will sink the sinner very low.
2 He sinks in miry clay,
And scarce can lift a sigh,
He tries, but cannot pray,
Nor lift to heaven his eye;
His bosom heaves, with guilt oppressed,
But, in himself, can find no rest.
3 In this bewildered state,
Pursued by guilt and sin,
He pushes at the gate,
But cannot enter in;
Till Jesus opens wide the door,
And saves the helpless and the poor.
4 The prisoner now goes forth;
The lame man leaps with joy;
He feels the Saviour’s worth,
And lifts his name on high.
On Jesus’ head the crown he’ll place;
A sinner saved by sovereign grace.
1027 C.M. Henry Fowler
“Their rock is not as our Rock.” Deut. 32. 31
1 What a polluted world this is,
A vale of sin and woe!
The sons of earth complain of this,
But Zion feels it so.
2 The world to creature-objects fly,
Their maladies to heal;
But Zion cries to God on high,
“Do thou thy face reveal.
3 “Saviour divine, reveal thy love;
Bright Morning Star, arise,
And lead my thoughts to things above,
E’en to the upper skies.
4 “This shall create a joy within,
Beyond what angels know,
And stimulate my powers to sing
The Saviour’s praise below.”
1028 L.M. Henry Fowler
Joshua’s Invitation, in a Gospel Sense. Joshua 3. 9
1 Come hither, ye by sin distressed,
And hear the Saviour’s faithful word;
Soon ye shall enter into rest,
And know that he’s your conquering Lord.
2 Come hither, ye whose rising fears
Forbid you to exult and sing;
Whose moments pass in sighs and tears,
Feeling your guilt a dreadful sting.
3 Does Satan tempt you to give up,
And call no more on Jesus’ name?
Cast not away your little hope;
Come hither, and behold the Lamb.
4 Come hither, to the Saviour come,
Vile as thou art in every view;
In Jesus’ house there still is room
For needy sinners, such as you.
5 Power and love in Christ combine,
An able, willing Saviour too;
Is he a Sun? On thee he’ll shine.
Is he thy God? He’ll bring thee through.
1029 S.M. Henry Fowler
“The troubles of my heart are enlarged.” Ps. 25. 17
1 Come, Saviour, quickly come,
Let me but feel thee near;
I’m a poor wanderer far from home,
Pursued by guilt and fear.
2 The troubles which I meet,
The evils which I feel,
The miry clay that clogs my feet,
Entangle, and I reel.
3 Thy hand alone can guide
My weather-beaten bark;
And in this stormy sea provide
A safe and solid ark.
4 O shut me safely in;
Then at the storm I’ll smile;
Nor fear the power of hell and sin,
But triumph all the while.
1030 C.M. Henry Fowler
“I am carnal, sold under sin.” Rom. 7. 14-24
1 Lord, what a wretched, wretched heart,
I feel from day to day;
Vile and unsound in every part;
Subdue it, Lord, I pray.
2 I groan, and pray, and cry, and strive,
To have it all removed;
Can it be thus in those who live?
In those whom God has loved?
3 Can such besetting evils dwell
In sinners born of God?
Could black corruptions rise and swell
Where Christ applies his blood?
4 To thee, dear Lord, for light I cry,
On this my darksome path;
O let thy mercy me supply;
O Lord, increase my faith.
1031 7s Henry Fowler
“Behold, I am vile.” Job 40. 4; Ps. 51. 5; Dan. 9. 7
1 What a vile, deceitful heart,
Filled with sin in every part;
But for free and sovereign grace,
Hell had been my destined place.
2 Called by grace these many years,
Rescued from ten thousand fears;
Yet a flagrant rebel still,
Tossed about with every ill.
3 Thus I’m burdened, thus I groan,
And my sad condition moan;
Can a sinner thus beguiled
Be the Lord’s adopted child?
4 Lord, how rich and free thy grace
To appoint a resting-place;
While within, and all around,
Comforts fail, and sins abound.
1032 S.M. Henry Fowler
“How shall I give thee up, Ephraim?” Hosea 11. 8
1 “How shall I give thee up?”
(’Tis Jesus speaks the word)
“I am the sinner’s only hope;
I am thy gracious Lord.
2 “Rebellious thou hast been,
And art rebellious still;
But since in love I took thee in,
My promise I’ll fulfil.
3 “I’ve bound thee up secure,
’Midst all the rage of hell;
The curse thou never shalt endure,
For I’m unchangeable.
4 “My son, give me thy heart;
Let me thy sorrows bear;
’Tis not thy caution, power, or art,
Can save thee from despair.”
5 Lord, captivate my soul;
Subdue the power of sin;
My vile corruptions, O control;
Let faith the battle win.
1033 11s Henry Fowler
“Whither the forerunner is for us entered.” Heb. 6. 20
In Jesus combine all the riches of grace,
What glory and grandeur I see in his face;
Jehovah’s eternal and co-equal Son,
Took all our transgressions and made them his own.
2
Ye children of Zion, now dry up your tears;
For you the Redeemer in glory appears;
Now he lives, now he reigns, now he dwells in the sky,
To answer the needy whenever they cry.
3
Afflicted believer, thy cause he’ll maintain;
Though rough be thy way, he’ll revive thee again;
In dark dispensations his kindness he’ll prove,
And teach thee to prize his immutable love.
4
What though thy corruptions are many and strong,
Thy gracious Redeemer will help thee along;
His promise assures thee, when troubles assail,
Though hell should oppose thee, thy faith cannot fail.
1034 L.M. Henry Fowler
“The captive exile hasteneth that he may be loosed.” Isa. 51. 14
1 Jesus, my soul’s athirst for thee;
Absent from thee I cannot rest;
Come now, reveal thyself to me;
I cannot leave thy throne unblest.
2 My base ingratitude I mourn,
A needy, helpless sinner still;
Dear Lord, I wait thy sweet return,
Thy gracious promise to fulfil.
3 Ah, whither shall thy prisoner flee?
Thy captive hastens to be loosed;
And would repose his trust in thee,
Though oft by sin and sorrow tossed.
4 Jesus is still the sinner’s Friend,
Although the billows roll between;
And since his love is to the end,
Ere long he’ll change this gloomy scene.
1035 S.M. Henry Fowler
“In returning and rest shall ye be saved.” Isa. 30. 15
1 Return, my wandering heart,
To thy dear resting-place;
Nothing in nature, nor in art,
So fair as Jesus’ face.
2 A proud and wandering heart,
A bold, rebellious will,
Severely make me daily smart,
And oft my comforts kill.
3 When night’s dim shade I feel,
I sigh, I mourn, I groan;
Do thou, dear Lord, thy face reveal;
Ah, leave me not alone.
4 Sweet Comforter, descend,
And lead me to the Lamb;
My absent, present, precious Friend!
Eternally the same.
1036 L.M. Henry Fowler
Encouragement for Seekers. Ps. 69. 32; Isa. 45. 19
1 Seek ye my face, the Saviour cries;
My soul, where canst thou find supplies
But in the Lamb, for sinners slain,
Who has not shed his blood in vain?
2 Does bitter anguish fill thy heart,
And make thee from the promise start?
Does Satan tempt thee to give up,
No more in Jesus’ name to hope?
3 Art thou afflicted, sore distressed,
Embarrassed and by guilt oppressed?
Anxious to know thy sins forgiven,
And find an open way to heaven?
4 Thou shalt obtain the blessing yet;
Jesus will not thy cries forget;
Wait on the Lord, take courage still;
His promise surely he’ll fulfil.
1037 7s Henry Fowler
“As thy days, so shall thy strength be.” Deut. 33. 25
1 Days of darkness and distress
Are my portion here below;
Thorny is the wilderness,
And the Lord will have it so.
2 When enlarged in faith and prayer,
His dear face by faith I see,
On the Lord I cast my care,
Satisfied he cares for me.
3 But when days of darkness come,
And my heart is hard and cold,
Round the wilderness I roam,
Barren, wandering from the fold.
4 Days of fierce temptation too,
Furious as the foaming wave,
Hide the heavens from my view,
Threatening a watery grave.
5 Up I cast my longing eyes,
Tossed like Jonah in the sea;
Jesus whispers from the skies,
“As thy days, thy strength shall be!”
1038 8.7.4. Henry Fowler
“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.” Ps. 126. 5
1 Sinners, in their deep affliction,
Sigh and groan beneath their load;
Long to read their own election,
And with pleasure say, “My God!”
Trembling, fearing,
Hoping still in Jesus’ blood.
2 Blessèd are the souls who tremble
At Jehovah’s searching word;
Contrite hearts cannot dissemble;
God has slain them with his sword;
Doubting, fearing,
Still their hope is in the Lord.
3 Mourning saint, whose heart is broken,
Love shall wipe thy weeping eye;
Ask thy Saviour for this token;
All thy needs he will supply;
Fear not, mourner;
Christ will make you reap in joy.
1039 C.M. A. Steele
“The grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant.” 1 Tim. 1. 14
1 Lord, we adore thy boundless grace,
The heights and depths unknown,
Of pardon, life, and joy, and peace,
In thy beloved Son.
2 O wondrous gifts of love divine,
Dear Source of every good;
Jesus, in thee what glories shine!
How rich thy flowing blood!
3 Come, all ye pining, hungry poor,
The Saviour’s bounty taste;
Behold a never-failing store
For every willing guest.
4 Here shall your numerous wants receive
A free, a full supply;
He has unmeasured bliss to give,
And joys that never die.
1040 8.7.7. T. Kelly
“I said unto thee … Live.” Ezek. 16. 6; Eph. 2. 4, 5
1 When we lay in sin polluted,
Wretched and undone we were;
All we saw and heard was suited
Only to produce despair;
Ours appeared a hopeless case;
Such it had been, but for grace.
2 As we lay exposed and friendless,
Needing what no hand could give,
Then the Lord (whose praise be endless)
Passèd by, and bid us live;
This was help in time of need;
This was grace, ’twas grace indeed.
3 Yes, ’twas grace beyond all measure,
When he bid such sinners live,
Laid aside his just displeasure,
And determined to forgive;
But he chose our hopeless case,
With a view to show his grace.
4 And shall we be found forgetful
Of the Lord, who thus forgave?
Lord, our hearts are most deceitful,
’Tis in thee our strength we have;
Should’st thou let thy people go,
They’d forget how much they owe.
5 Keep us, then, O keep us ever!
While we stand, ’tis in thy strength;
Leave us not, forsake us never,
Till we see thy face at length;
Hold thy helpless people fast;
Save us, Lord, from first to last.
1041 L.M. T. Kelly
“Thus saith the Lord, I remember thee.” Jer. 2. 2
1 O where is now that glowing love
That marked our union with the Lord?
Our hearts were fixed on things above,
Nor could the world one joy afford.
2 So strange did love like his appear,
That love that made him bear the cross,
No other subject pleased our ear;
The world for this appeared but loss.
3 Where is the zeal that led us then
To make the Saviour’s glory known;
That freed us from the fear of men,
And kept our eye on him alone?
4 Where are the happy seasons spent
In fellowship with him we loved?
The sacred joy, the sweet content,
The blessedness that then we proved?
5 Behold, again we turn to thee;
O cast us not away, though vile!
No peace we have, no joy we see,
O Lord our God, but in thy smile.
1042 L.M. T. Kelly
“I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.” Rom. 1. 16
1 I need not blush to own that he,
On whom my hope of heaven is built,
Was crucified on yonder tree,
Since ’tis his blood that cancels guilt.
2 Nor need I blush to call him Lord,
Whom heaven adores with all its hosts;
Yes, Jesus is by heaven adored,
In him the brightest seraph boasts.
3 What though the world no glory sees
In him my soul admires and loves,
I wonder not – how should he please
The man who of himself approves?
4 I too could boast of merit once,
And Jesus had no charms for me;
But all such claims I now renounce;
No merit but in him I see.
1043 L.M. T. Kelly
“O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath.” Ps. 38. 1
1 Deal gently with thy servant, Lord,
And if the rod should needful be,
Thy seasonable aid afford;
My soul in trouble flies to thee.
2 Thy frown is terrible to bear,
But grace a spring of hope supplies;
Thy anger more than death I fear,
Thy favour more than life I prize.
3 But much I fear, lest in some hour
Of sore temptation I may fall;
And, yielding to the tempter’s power,
Faithless may prove, and give up all.
4 Lord, save thy worm, for thou alone
Canst keep me in the trying hour;
Thy help I trust to, not my own,
Thy love, thy wisdom, and thy power.
5 When chastisement shall needful be,
Correct thy worm, but not in wrath;
A father’s hand I fain would see;
A father’s rod no terror hath.
1044 7s J. Kent
“With joy shall ye draw water....” Isa. 12. 3
1 Water from salvation’s wells,
Thirsty sinner, come and draw;
Grace in Jesus’ fulness dwells,
More than men or angels know.
2 ’Twas in God, the fount supreme,
Till the day that Adam fell;
Then the first all-healing stream
Watered Eden’s garden well.
3 Far and wide the cleansing flood
O’er the sin-cursed garden ran;
Preaching peace by Jesus’ blood –
Blissful sound to rebel man.
4 Thousands now around the throne
Water from this fountain drew;
Felt their griefs and sorrows gone;
Hymned his praise; and why not you?
5 Bring no money, price, or aught,
No good deeds, nor pleasing frames,
Mercy never can be bought;
Grace is free; and all’s the Lamb’s.
1045 7s T. Kelly
“Who will show us any good?” Ps. 4. 6
1 “Who will show us any good?”
Thus the hopeless worldling cries;
Pleasure, though with zeal pursued,
Still from his embraces flies.
2 Is there nothing here below
Can supply the soul with food?
Hear the general answer, No!
“Who will show us any good?”
3 Must we then all hope resign?
Is there nought can yield repose?
Saviour, make thy face to shine,
This is what will heal our woes.
1046 L.M. T. Kelly
“We hanged our harps upon the willows.” Ps. 137. 2
1 My harp on yonder willow lies,
Silent, neglected, and unstrung;
My cheerful songs are turned to sighs;
Sad is my heart and mute my tongue.
2 Once I could sound the note of praise,
As loud as others I could sing;
But retrospect of former days
No help in present grief will bring.
3 But why should I give way to grief?
I see my remedy at hand;
Does not the gospel bring relief
To such as self-convicted stand?
4 Yes, ’tis a faithful, cheering word,
That Jesus came to save the lost;
This truth with richest grace is stored,
And to the vilest yields the most.
1047 C.M. T. Kelly
“By whom shall Jacob arise?” Amos 7. 2, 5; Ps. 12. 1
1 “By whom shall Jacob now arise?”
For Jacob’s friends are few;
And (what should fill us with surprise)
They seem divided too.
2 “By whom shall Jacob now arise?”
For Jacob’s foes are strong;
I read their triumph in their eyes;
They think he’ll fail ere long.
3 “By whom shall Jacob now arise?”
Can any tell by whom?
Say, shall this branch that withered lies,
Again revive and bloom?
4 Lord, thou canst tell – the work is thine;
The help of man is vain;
On Jacob now arise and shine,
And he shall live again.
1048 L.M. T. Kelly
“For here have we no continuing city.” Heb. 13. 14
1 “We’ve no abiding city here;”
This may distress the worldling’s mind;
But should not cost the saint a tear,
Who hopes a better rest to find.
2 “We’ve no abiding city here;”
Sad truth, were this to be our home;
But let the thought our spirits cheer,
“We seek a city yet to come.”
3 “We’ve no abiding city here;”
Then let us live as pilgrims do;
Let not the world our rest appear,
But let us haste from all below.
4 “We’ve no abiding city here,”
We seek a city out of sight,
Zion its name – the Lord is there;
It shines with everlasting light.
5 O sweet abode of peace and love,
Where pilgrims freed from toil are blest;
Had I the pinions of the dove,
I’d fly to thee, and be at rest.
1049 L.M. T. Kelly
“He bringeth them unto their desired haven.” Ps. 107. 30
1 The Christian navigates a sea
Where various forms of death appear;
Nor skill, alas! nor power has he,
Aright his dangerous course to steer.
2 Why does he venture, then, from shore,
And dare so many deaths to brave?
Because the land affrights him more
Than all the perils of the wave;
3 Because he hopes a port to find,
Where all his toil will be repaid;
And though unskilful, weak, and blind,
Yet Jesus bids him nothing dread.
4 His destined land he sometimes sees,
And thinks his toils will soon be o’er;
Expects some favourable breeze
Will waft him quickly to the shore.
5 But sudden clouds obstruct his view,
And he enjoys the sight no more;
Nor does he now believe it true
That he had ever seen the shore.
6 Though fear his heart should overwhelm,
He’ll reach the port for which he’s bound;
For Jesus holds and guides the helm,
And safety is where he is found.
1050 S.M. C. Wesley
“The love of Christ constraineth us.” 2 Cor. 5. 14
1 When shall thy love constrain
This heart thy own to be?
When shall the wounded spirit gain
A healing rest in thee?
2 Ah! what avails my strife,
My wandering to and fro?
Thou hast the words of endless life;
Lord, whither shall I go?
3 My worthless heart to gain,
The God who gave me breath
Was found in fashion as a man,
And died a cursèd death!
4 Then may I sin forsake,
The world for thee resign;
Gracious Redeemer, take, O take,
And seal me ever thine!
1051 C.M. A. Steele
“Watch and pray.” Matt. 26. 41; Mark 13. 33
1 Alas, what hourly dangers rise!
What snares beset my way!
To heaven O let me lift my eyes,
And hourly watch and pray.
2 How oft my mournful thoughts complain,
And melt in flowing tears!
My weak resistance, ah, how vain!
How strong my foes and fears!
3 O gracious God, in whom I live,
My feeble efforts aid;
Help me to watch, and pray, and strive,
Though trembling and afraid.
4 Increase my faith, increase my hope,
When foes and fears prevail!
And bear my fainting spirit up,
Or soon my strength will fail.
5 Whene’er temptations fright my heart,
Or lure my feet aside,
O God, thy powerful aid impart –
My guardian and my guide.
6 O keep me in the heavenly way,
And bid the tempter flee;
And let me never, never stray,
From happiness and thee.
1052 112th Augustus Toplady
“God forbid that I should glory.” Gal. 6. 14
1 Redeemer! whither should I flee,
Or how escape the wrath to come?
The weary sinner flies to thee
For shelter from impending doom;
Smile on me, gracious Lord, and show
Thyself the Friend of sinners now.
2 Beneath the shadow of thy cross
The heavy-laden soul finds rest;
I would esteem the world but dross,
So I might be of Christ possessed.
I’d seek my every joy in thee,
Be thou both life and light to me.
3 Close to the ignominious tree,
Jesus, my humbled soul would cleave;
Despised and crucified with thee,
With thee resolved to die and live;
This prayer and this ambition mine,
Living and dying to be thine.
4 There, fastened to the rugged wood
By holy love’s resistless chain,
And life deriving from thy blood,
Never to wander wide again,
There may I bow my suppliant knee,
And own no other Lord but thee.
1053 8.7. C. Wesley
“I will love him.” John 14. 20-23
1 Love divine, all love excelling,
Joy of heaven, to earth come down!
Fix in us thy humble dwelling;
All thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, thou art all compassion;
Pure unbounded love thou art;
Visit us with thy salvation;
Comfort every sinking heart.
2 Breathe, O breathe thy blessed Spirit
Into every troubled breast!
Let us all in thee inherit;
Let us find thy promised rest.
Take away the love of sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
End of faith, as its beginning,
Set our hearts at liberty.
3 Carry on thy new creation;
Pure and holy may we be;
Let us see our whole salvation
Perfectly secured by thee;
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in heaven we take our place;
Till we cast our crowns before thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise.
1054 8.7. C. Wesley
“To all them that looked for redemption.” Luke 2. 38
1 Come, thou long-expected Jesus!
Born to set thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
Hope of all the saints thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.
2 Born thy children to deliver,
Born a child and yet a king;
Born to reign in us for ever,
Now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thy own eternal Spirit,
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By thy all-sufficient merit,
Raise us to thy glorious throne.
1055 8.7.4. J. Swain
“We which have believed do enter into rest.” Heb. 4. 3
1 Come, ye souls, by sin afflicted,
Bowed with fruitless sorrow down;
By the broken law convicted,
Through the cross behold the crown!
Look to Jesus;
Mercy flows through him alone.
2 Sweet as home to pilgrims weary,
Light to newly-opened eyes,
Flowing springs in deserts dreary,
Is the rest the cross supplies;
All who taste it
Shall to rest immortal rise.
3 Blessèd are the eyes that see him;
Blest the ears that hear his voice;
Blessèd are the souls that trust him,
And in him alone rejoice;
His commandments
Then become their happy choice.
4 But to sing the “Rest remaining,”
Mortal tongues far short must fall;
Heavenly tongues are ever aiming,
But they cannot tell it all;
Faith believes it – Hope expects it –
But it overwhelms them all.
1056 L.M. Samuel Medley
“Yet I will look again.” Jonah 2. 4; 2 Chron. 6. 38-39
1 See a poor sinner, dearest Lord,
Whose soul, encouraged by thy word,
At mercy’s footstool would remain,
And there would look, and look again.
2 How oft deceived by self and pride,
Has my poor heart been turned aside;
And, Jonah like, has fled from thee,
Till thou hast looked again on me!
3 Ah! bring a wretched wanderer home,
And to thy footstool let me come,
And tell thee all my grief and pain,
And wait and look, and look again.
4 Take courage, then, my trembling soul;
One look from Christ shall make thee whole;
Trust thou in him; ’tis not in vain;
But wait and look, and look again.
1057 8.7. C. Wesley
“The people … in darkness have seen a great light.” Isa. 9. 2
1 Light of those whose dreary dwelling
Borders on the shades of death,
Come, and, thy bright beams revealing,
Dissipate the clouds beneath.
The new heaven’s and earth’s Creator,
In our deepest darkness rise,
Scattering all the night of nature,
Pouring day upon our eyes.
2 Still we wait for thy appearing;
Life and joy thy beams impart,
Chasing all our fears, and cheering
Every poor benighted heart.
Come, and manifest the favour
Thou hast for the ransomed race;
Come, thou dear exalted Saviour!
Come, and bring thy gospel grace.
3 Save us in thy great compassion,
O thou mild, pacific Prince!
Give the knowledge of salvation,
Give the pardon of our sins.
By thy all-sufficient merit
Every burdened soul release;
By the shining of thy Spirit,
Guide us into perfect peace.
1058 7s Madan’s Selection
Prayer for Humility. Luke 18. 17
1 Lord, if thou thy grace impart,
Poor in spirit, meek in heart,
I shall, as my Master, be
Rooted in humility.
2 Simple, teachable, and mild,
Changed into a little child;
Pleased with all the Lord provides;
Weaned from all the world besides.
3 Father, fix my soul on thee;
Every evil let me flee;
Nothing want, beneath, above,
Happy in thy precious love.
1059 S.M. C. Wesley
“Lead me in thy truth.” Ps. 25. 5; 5. 8; John 14. 6
1 Jesus, the Truth, the Way,
The sure, unerring Light,
On thee my feeble soul I’d stay,
Which thou canst lead aright.
2 O may thy Spirit, Lord,
Soon as the foe comes in,
His mighty needful help afford,
And stem the tide of sin.
3 May I from every sin,
As from a serpent, fly;
Abhor to touch the thing unclean,
And rather choose to die.
4 Myself I cannot save;
Myself I cannot keep;
But strength in thee I fain would have,
Whose eyelids never sleep.
5 My soul to thee alone
I therefore now commend;
Since Jesus, having loved his own,
Will love them to the end.
1060 112th C. Wesley
“O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God.” Hos. 14. 1-4
1 Weary of wandering from the Lord,
And now made willing to return,
I hear, and bow me to the rod;
For now, not without hope, I mourn;
There is an Advocate above,
A Friend before the Throne of Love.
2 O Jesus! full of truth and grace,
More full of grace than I of sin;
Yet once again I seek thy face;
Open thy arms, and take me in!
All my backslidings freely heal,
And love the faithless sinner still.
3 Thou know’st the way to bring me back,
My fallen spirit to restore;
O, for thy truth and mercy’s sake,
Forgive, and bid me sin no more!
The ruins of my soul repair,
And make my heart a house of prayer.
4 Ah, give me, Lord, the tender heart,
That trembles at the approach of sin;
A godly fear of sin impart;
Implant and root it deep within;
That I may love thy gracious power,
And never dare to offend thee more.
1061 C.M. C. Wesley
“There remaineth … a rest to the people.” Heb. 4. 9
1 Lord, I believe a rest remains
To all thy people known;
A rest where pure enjoyment reigns,
And thou art loved alone.
2 O that I now the rest might know,
Believe and enter in!
Dear Saviour, now the power bestow,
And let me cease from sin.
3 Remove this hardness from my heart,
This unbelief remove;
To me the rest of faith impart,
The Sabbath of thy love.
4 Come, thou dear Saviour, come away!
Into my soul descend;
No longer from thy creature stay,
My Author and my End.
1062 7s T. Kelly
“King of kings, and Lord of lords.” Rev. 19. 16; 17. 14
1 King of kings, and Lord of lords!
These are great and awful words;
’Tis to Jesus they belong;
Let his people raise their song.
2 Rich in glory, thou didst stoop;
Thou that art the people’s hope;
Thou wast poor, that they might be
Rich in glory, Lord, with thee.
3 When we think of love like this,
Joy and shame our hearts possess;
Joy, that thou couldst pity thus;
Shame, for such returns from us.
4 Yet we hope the day to see,
When we shall from earth be free;
Borne aloft, to heaven be brought,
There to praise thee as we ought.
5 While we still continue here,
Let this hope our spirits cheer.
Till in heaven thy face we see,
Teach us, Lord, to live to thee.
1063 8.7.7. T. Kelly
“But ye, brethren, are not in darkness.” 1 Thess. 5. 4
1 Nothing know we of the season
When the world shall pass away;
But we know, the saints have reason
To expect a glorious day;
When the Saviour will return,
And his people cease to mourn.
2 O what sacred joys await them!
They shall see the Saviour then;
Those who now oppose and hate them,
Never can oppose again.
Brethren, let us think of this:
All is ours if we are his.
3 Waiting for our Lord’s returning,
Be it ours his word to keep;
May our lamps be always burning,
May we watch while others sleep.
We’re no longer of the night;
We are children of the light.
4 Being of the favoured number,
Whom the Saviour calls his own,
’Tis not meet that we should slumber;
Nothing should be left undone.
This should be his people’s aim,
Still to glorify his name.
1064 C.M. Isaac Watts
“Set your affection on things above.” Col. 3. 2
1 How vain are all things here below;
How false, and yet how fair!
Each pleasure has its poison too,
And every sweet a snare.
2 The brightest things below the sky
Give but a flattering light;
We should suspect some danger nigh,
When we possess delight.
3 Our dearest joys, and dearest friends,
The partners of our blood,
How they divide our wavering minds,
And leave but half for God!
4 The fondness of a creature’s love,
How strong it strikes the sense!
Thither the warm affections move,
Nor can we call them thence.
5 Dear Saviour, let thy beauties be
My soul’s eternal food;
And grace command my heart away
From all created good.
1065 C.M. T. Haweis
“Remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake.” Ps. 25. 7
1 O thou from whom all goodness flows,
I lift my heart to thee;
In all my sorrows, conflicts, woes,
Jesus, remember me.
2 When on my mourning, burdened heart,
My sins lie heavily;
My pardon speak, thy peace impart;
In love remember me.
3 Temptations sore obstruct my way,
And ills I cannot flee;
O give me strength, Lord, as my day;
For good remember me.
4 If on my face for thy dear name,
Shame and reproaches be,
All hail reproach, and welcome shame!
If thou remember me.
5 The hour is near, consigned to death,
I own the just decree;
Saviour, with my last parting breath,
I’ll cry, “Remember me.”
1066 C.M. P. Doddridge
“Lovest thou me?” John 21. 15-17; 14. 21
1 Do not I love thee, dearest Lord?
Behold my heart and see;
And cast each hated idol down,
That dares to rival thee.
2 Do not I love thee from my soul?
Then let me nothing love;
Dead be my heart to every joy,
When Jesus cannot move.
3 Is not thy name melodious still
To my attentive ear?
Do I not in thy word delight
The Saviour’s voice to hear?
4 Hast thou a lamb in all thy flock
I would disdain to feed?
Hast thou a foe before whose face
I’d fear thy cause to plead?
1067 S.M. Augustus Toplady
“Though your sins be as scarlet.” Isa. 1. 18
1 Jesus, thy light impart,
And lead me in thy path;
I have an unbelieving heart;
But thou canst give me faith.
2 Unrivalled reign within;
My only sovereign be;
O crucify the man of sin,
And form thyself in me.
3 Thy blood’s renewing might
Can make the foulest clean;
Can wash the Ethiopian white,
And change the leopard’s skin.
4 Fulfil thy gracious word,
And show my guilt forgiven;
Bid me embrace my dying Lord,
And mount with thee to heaven.
1068 8.7. D. Turner
“Jesus … have mercy on me.” Mark 10. 47
1 Jesus, full of all compassion,
Hear thy humble suppliant’s cry;
Let me know thy great salvation;
See, I languish, faint, and die.
2 Guilty, but with heart relenting,
Overwhelmed with helpless grief,
Prostrate at thy feet repenting,
Send, O send me quick relief.
3 Whither should a wretch be flying,
But to him who comfort gives?
Whither, from the dread of dying,
But to him who ever lives?
4 Hear, then, blessed Saviour, hear me!
My soul cleaveth to the dust;
Send the Comforter to cheer me,
Lo! in thee I put my trust.
5 On the word thy blood has sealèd
Hangs my everlasting all;
Let thy arm be now revealèd;
Stay, O stay me, lest I fall!
6 In the world of endless ruin,
Let it never, Lord, be said,
“Here’s a soul that perished suing
For the boasted Saviour’s aid.”
1069 C.M. A. Steele
“Return, ye backsliding children.” Jer. 3. 12, 14, 22
1 See, Lord, before thy throne of grace
A wretched wanderer mourn!
Thyself hast bid me seek thy face;
Thyself hast said, “Return.”
2 And shall my guilty fears prevail
To drive me from thy feet?
Thy word of promise cannot fail,
My tower of safe retreat.
3 Absent from thee, my Guide, my Light,
Without one cheering ray;
Through dangers, fears, and gloomy night,
How desolate my way!
4 O shine on this benighted heart,
With beams of mercy shine;
And let thy Spirit’s voice impart
A taste of joys divine!
1070 112th R. Hill
“O Lord, I am oppressed.” Isa. 38. 14
1 Thou Friend of friendless sinners, hear,
And magnify thy grace divine;
Pardon a worm that would draw near,
That would his heart to thee resign;
A worm, by self and sin oppressed,
That pants to reach thy promised rest.
2 With holy fear, and reverent love,
I long to lie beneath thy throne;
I long in thee to live and move,
And stay myself on thee alone;
Teach me to lean upon thy breast,
To find in thee the promised rest.
3 Take me, dear Saviour, as thy own,
And with thy Father plead my cause;
Be thou my portion, Lord, alone!
O help me to obey thy laws;
And with thy gracious presence blest,
Give me to find thy promised rest.
4 Bid the tempestuous rage of sin,
With every furious passion die;
Let the Redeemer dwell within,
And turn my sorrows into joy.
O may my heart, by thee possessed,
Know thee to be my promised rest.
1071 7s C. Wesley
“He shall feed his flock like a shepherd.” Isa. 40. 11
1 Happy soul, that, free from harms,
Rests within his Shepherd’s arms!
Who his quiet shall molest?
Who shall violate his rest?
2 Jesus does his spirit bear,
Far removes each anxious care;
He who found the wandering sheep
Loves and still delights to keep.
3 Oh! that I might so believe;
Steadfastly to Jesus cleave;
Only on his love rely,
Smile at the destroyer nigh;
4 Free from sin and servile fear,
Feel the Saviour always near;
All his care rejoice to prove,
All the blessings of his love!
5 Shepherd, seek thy wandering sheep;
Bring me back, and lead, and keep;
Take on thee my every care;
Bear me, in thy bosom bear.
6 Let me know thy gentle voice,
More and more in thee rejoice;
From thy fulness grace receive;
Ever in thy Spirit live.
1072 C.M. C. Wesley & Augustus Toplady
“Lord, help me.” Matt. 15. 25
1 Jesus, Redeemer, Saviour, Lord,
The weary sinner’s Friend;
Come to my help, pronounce the word,
Bid my corruptions end.
2 Thou canst o’ercome this heart of mine,
Thou canst victorious prove;
For everlasting strength is thine
And everlasting love.
3 Bound down with twice ten thousand ties,
Yet let me hear thy call,
My soul in confidence shall rise,
Shall rise and break through all.
4 Speak and the deaf shall hear thy voice,
The blind his sight receive;
The dumb in songs of praise rejoice,
The heart of stone believe.
5 The Ethiop then shall change his skin;
The dead shall feel thy power;
The loathsome leper shall be clean,
And I shall sin abhor.
1073 8.7. Augustus Toplady (from the German)
“I will put my spirit within you.” Ezek. 36. 27
1 Holy Ghost, dispel our sadness,
Pierce the clouds of nature’s night;
Come, thou Source of joy and gladness,
Breathe thy life, and spread thy light.
2 Come, thou best of all donations,
God can give, or we implore!
Having thy sweet consolations,
We on earth can wish no more.
3 Author of the new creation,
Bid us now thy influence prove;
Make our souls thy habitation;
Shed abroad the Saviour’s love.
1074 L.M. C. Wesley
“But Christ is All.” Col. 3. 11
1 When, gracious Lord, when shall it be
That I shall find my all in thee?
The fulness of thy promise prove,
The seal of thy eternal love?
2 Thee, only thee, I fain would find,
And cast the world and sin behind;
A helpless soul, I come to thee,
With only sin and misery.
3 Lord, I am sick – my sickness cure;
I want – do thou enrich the poor;
Under thy mighty hand I stoop –
O lift the abject sinner up!
4 Lord, I am blind – be thou my sight;
Lord, I am weak – be thou my might;
A helper of the helpless be,
And let me find my all in thee.
1075 112th G. Tersteegen, translated by J. Wesley
“I am crucified with Christ.” Gal. 2. 20; 5. 24
1 Thou hidden love of God, whose height,
Whose depth unfathomed, no man knows,
I see from far thy beauteous light,
And inly sigh for thy repose;
My heart is pained, nor can it be
At rest, till I find rest in thee.
2 Is there a thing beneath the sun,
That strives with thee my heart to share?
Ah! tear it thence, and reign alone,
And govern every motion there.
Then shall my heart from earth be free,
When it has found its all in thee.
3 O crucify this self, that I
No more, but Christ in me, may live;
Bid all my vile affections die,
Nor let one hateful lust survive.
In all things nothing may I see,
Nothing desire, or seek, but thee.
4 Lord, draw my heart from earth away,
And make it only know thy call;
Speak to my inmost soul, and say,
“I am thy Saviour, God, thy All!”
O dwell in me, fill all my soul,
And all my powers by thine control.
1076 L.M. C. Wesley
“But in me is thine help.” Hos. 13. 9; Isa. 43. 11
1 Jesus, in whom the Godhead’s rays
Beam forth with mildest majesty,
I see thee full of truth and grace,
And come for all I want to thee.
2 Wrathful, impure, and proud I am;
Nor constancy, nor strength, I have;
But thou, O Lord, art still the same,
And hast not lost thy power to save.
3 Save me from pride, the plague repel;
Jesus, thy humble mind impart,
O let the Spirit within me dwell,
And give me lowliness of heart.
4 Enter thyself, and cast out sin;
More of thy purity bestow;
Touch me, and make the leper clean;
Wash me, and I am white as snow.
1077 7s C. Wesley
“I will take away the stony heart.” Ezek. 36. 26
1 Dearest Lord, what must I do?
Only thou the way canst show;
Thou canst save me in this hour;
I have neither will nor power.
2 God if over all thou art,
Greater than the sinful heart;
Let thy power in me be shown;
Take away the heart of stone.
3 Take away my darling sin,
Make me willing to be clean;
Make me willing to receive
What thy goodness waits to give.
4 Teach me, Lord, with all to part;
Tear all idols from my heart;
Let thy power on me be shown;
Take away the heart of stone.
5 Jesus, mighty to renew,
Work in me to will and do;
Turn my nature’s rapid tide;
Stem the torrent of my pride.
6 Stop the whirlwind of my will;
Bid corruptions, Lord, be still;
Now thy love almighty show,
Cleanse my heart, my mind renew.
1078 L.M. A. Steele
“For he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” John 14. 17
1 Dear Lord, and shall thy Spirit rest
In such a wretched heart as mine?
Unworthy dwelling! glorious guest!
Favour astonishing, divine!
2 When sin prevails, and gloomy fear,
And hope almost expires in night,
Lord, can thy Spirit then be here,
Great Spring of comfort, life, and light?
3 Sure the blest Comforter is nigh;
’Tis he sustains my fainting heart;
Else would my hopes for ever die,
And every cheering ray depart.
4 When some kind promise glads my soul,
Do I not find his healing voice,
The tempest of my fears control,
And bid my drooping powers rejoice?
5 Whene’er to call the Saviour mine,
With ardent wish my heart aspires,
Can it be less than power divine,
Which animates these strong desires?
6 What less than thy almighty word,
Can raise my heart from earth and dust,
And bid me cleave to thee, my Lord,
My life, my treasure, and my trust?
1079 C.M. A. Steele
“Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.” Ps. 35. 3
1 Eternal Source of joys divine,
To thee my soul aspires;
O could I say, “The Lord is mine,”
’Tis all my soul desires.
2 Thy smile can give me real joy,
Unmingled and refined;
Substantial bliss, without alloy,
And lasting as the mind.
3 Thy smile can gild the shades of woe,
Bid stormy trouble cease,
Spread the fair dawn of heaven below,
And sweeten pain to peace.
4 My hope, my trust, my life, my Lord,
Assure me of thy love;
O speak the kind transporting word,
And bid my fears remove.
5 Then shall my thankful powers rejoice,
And triumph in my God,
Till heavenly rapture tune my voice
To spread thy praise abroad.
1080 L.M. A. Steele
The Heavenly Conqueror. Rev. 3. 5, 12, 21; 12. 11
1 To Jesus, our victorious Lord,
The praises of our lives belong;
For ever be his name adored;
Sweet theme of every thankful song.
2 Lost in despair, beset with foes,
Undone, and perishing we lay;
His pity melted o’er our woes,
And saved the trembling, dying prey.
3 He fought, he conquered though he fell,
While with his last expiring breath,
He triumphed o’er the powers of hell,
And by his dying vanquished death.
4 Though still reviving foes arise,
Temptations, sins, and doubts appear,
And pain our hearts, and fill our eyes
With many a groan, and many a tear;
5 Still may we fight, and still prevail,
In our Almighty Leader’s name;
His strength, whene’er our spirits fail,
Can all our active powers inflame.
1081 L.M. A. Steele
Longing for Immortality. 2 Cor. 5. 4; Rom. 8. 23
1 Sad prisoners in a house of clay,
With sins, and griefs, and pains oppressed,
We groan the lingering hours away,
And wish and long to be released.
2 Nor is it liberty alone,
Which prompts our restless, ardent sighs;
For immortality we groan,
For robes and mansions in the skies.
3 Eternal mansions! bright array!
O blest exchange! transporting thought!
Free from the approaches of decay,
Or the least shadow of a spot.
4 Bright world of bliss, O could I see
One shining glimpse, one cheerful ray,
(Fair dawn of immortality)
Break through these tottering walls of clay.
5 Jesus, in thy dear name I trust,
My life, my light, my Saviour, God;
When this frail house dissolves in dust,
O raise me to thy bright abode.
1082 C.M. J. Swain
“That your love may abound yet more and more.” Phil. 1. 9
1 How sweet, how heavenly is the sight,
When those that love the Lord,
In one another’s peace delight,
And so fulfil his word!
2 When each can feel his brother’s sigh,
And with him bear a part;
When sorrow flows from eye to eye,
And joy from heart to heart.
3 When free from envy, scorn, and pride,
Our wishes all above,
Each can his brother’s failings hide,
And show a brother’s love.
4 When love in one delightful stream
Through every bosom flows;
When union sweet and dear esteem,
In every action glows!
5 Love is the golden chain that binds
The happy souls above;
And he’s an heir of heaven that finds
His bosom glow with love.
1083 C.M. A. Steele
“Doubtless thou art our father.” Isa. 63. 16; 64. 8
1 My God, my Father, blissful name!
O may I call thee mine?
May I with sweet assurance claim
A portion so divine?
2 This only can my fears control,
And bid my sorrows fly;
What harm can ever reach my soul
Beneath my Father’s eye?
3 Whate’er thy providence denies
I calmly would resign,
For thou art just, and good, and wise;
O bend my will to thine.
4 Whate’er thy sacred will ordains,
O give me strength to bear;
And let me know my Father reigns,
And trust his tender care.
5 If pain and sickness rend this frame,
And life almost depart,
Is not thy mercy still the same,
To cheer my drooping heart?
6 If cares and sorrows me surround,
Their power why should I fear?
My inward peace they cannot wound,
If thou, my God, art near.
1084 L.M. A. Steele
The Inconstant Heart. Prov. 28. 26; 3. 5
1 Ah, wretched, vile, ungrateful heart,
That can from Jesus thus depart,
Thus fond of trifles vainly rove,
Forgetful of a Saviour’s love!
2 In vain I charge my thoughts to stay,
And chide each vanity away,
In vain, alas! resolve to bind
This rebel heart, this wandering mind.
3 Through all resolves how soon it flies,
And mocks the weak, the slender ties;
There’s nought except a power divine
That can this roving heart confine.
4 Jesus, to thee I would return,
At thy dear feet repentant mourn;
There let me view thy pardoning love,
And never from thy sight remove.
1085 L.M. A. Steele
“Commune with your own heart.” Ps. 4. 4; 18. 6
1 Hence, vain, intruding world, depart;
No more allure nor vex my heart;
Let every vanity be gone;
I would be peaceful and alone.
2 Here let me search my inmost mind,
And try its real state to find,
The secret springs of thought explore,
And call my words and actions o’er.
3 Eternity, tremendous sound!
To guilty souls a dreadful wound;
But O, if Christ and heaven be mine,
How sweet the accents, how divine!
4 Be this my great, my only care,
My chief pursuit, my ardent prayer,
An interest in the Saviour’s blood,
My pardon sealed, and peace with God.
5 Search, Lord, O search my inmost heart,
And light, and hope, and joy impart;
From guilt and error set me free,
And guide me safe to heaven and thee.
1086 C.M. A. Steele
“Thy will be done.” Matt. 6. 10; Luke 22. 42
1 Peace, my complaining, doubting heart,
Ye busy cares, be still;
Adore the just, the sovereign Lord,
Nor murmur at his will.
2 Unerring wisdom guides his hand;
Nor dares my guilty fear,
Amid the sharpest pains I feel,
Pronounce his hand severe.
3 Let me reflect, with humble awe,
Whene’er my heart complains,
Compared with what my sins deserve,
How easy are my pains!
4 Yes, Lord, I own thy sovereign hand,
Thou just, and wise, and kind;
Be every anxious thought suppressed,
And all my soul resigned.
5 But O, indulge this only wish,
This boon I must implore:
Assure my soul that thou art mine,
My God, I ask no more.
1087 L.M. A. Steele
“Thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin.” Isa. 53. 10
1 Was it for sin, for mortal guilt,
The Saviour gave his vital blood;
For sin amazing anguish felt,
The wrath of an offended God?
2 And shall I harbour in my breast
(Tremble, my soul, at such a deed)
This dreadful foe, this fatal guest,
The sin that made the Saviour bleed?
3 Come, glorious Conqueror, gracious Lord,
Thy all-prevailing power employ;
O come, with thy resistless word,
These hateful enemies destroy.
4 My hope, my all is fixed on thee,
For thou alone hast power divine;
O come, and conquer, Lord, for me,
And all the glory shall be thine.
1088 C.M. C. Wesley
“I will not let thee go.” Gen. 32. 26; Song. 3. 4
1 Shepherd divine, our wants relieve
In this our evil day;
To all thy tempted followers give
The power to trust and pray.
2 Long as our fiery trials last,
Long as the cross we bear;
O let our souls on thee be cast,
In never-ceasing prayer.
3 Till thou the Father’s love impart,
Till thou thyself bestow,
Be this the cry of every heart,
“I will not let thee go.
4 “I will not let thee go, unless
Thou tell thy name to me;
With all thy great salvation bless,
And say, ‘Christ died for thee.’”
1089 C.M. J. Kent
In-dwelling Sin. Rom. 7. 14-24; Isa. 52. 3
1 Sold under sin, was Paul’s complaint;
He felt its galling load,
Though he, by calling, was a saint,
And rightly taught of God.
2 Like him, we daily feel the same,
And long to be dissolved;
Oppressed by sins of every name,
How oft are we involved!
3 But he that feels pollution most,
Defiled throughout by sin,
Will never of his goodness boast,
But mourn the plague within.
4 Distressed at heart, he’ll tell his God
He feels it every day;
And to the fount of Jesus’ blood
For pardon haste away.
5 Sinless perfection we deny,
The chief of Satan’s wiles;
Do thou, my soul, to Calvary fly,
As oft as sin defiles.
1090 L.M. J. Kent
“Turn you to the strong hold.” Zech. 9. 12
1 Prisoners of hope, to Jesus turn;
He’s a Strong-hold, ordained for you;
Gird up your loins, and cease to mourn,
And to the Lamb your way pursue.
2 Though fast in Sinai’s fetters bound,
Held in the deepest bondage there,
Yet ’tis the gospel’s joyful sound:
“Sinners, to this Strong-hold repair.”
3 Turn hither, ye who once were blessed
With life the ways of God to run;
But now whose hearts are sore distressed,
Because those golden hours are gone.
4 Turn hither, ye who oft have tried,
By works, salvation to obtain;
See royal robes your shame to hide,
And blood that takes out every stain.
5 His name a tower for strength renowned,
Shall save his people from their sin;
Free grace shall o’er their sins abound;
Ye fearing, doubting souls, turn in.
1091 L.M. J. Kent
The Well of Bethlehem. 2 Sam. 23. 15
1 How welcome to the soul oppressed,
In sorrow’s vale, by raging thirst,
Scorched by the sun’s meridian beam,
Is the sweet well of Bethlehem!
2 Prophets of old, and saints the same,
In every age, of every name,
Drank of this soul-reviving stream,
The water sweet of Bethlehem.
3 Water so pure, or half so good,
From nature’s fountains never flowed;
There’s curse and death in every stream,
Save in the well of Bethlehem.
4 Wide as the stretch of human woe,
Those death-consuming waters flow;
Spring up, O well! be this my theme,
Thou water sweet from Bethlehem.
5 To cheer when faint, when sick to heal,
Its wondrous virtues must prevail;
My sins to crush, my fears to quell,
Spring up, O stream! from Bethlehem’s well.
6 When nature sinks beneath her load,
Amidst the din of Jordan’s flood;
With this my every fear dispel,
One sip of Bethlehem’s sacred well.
1092 C.M. J. Kent
“Loose him, and let him go.” John 11. 44; Isa. 45. 13
1 Till God the sinner’s mind illume,
’Tis dark as night within;
Like Lazarus in the dreary tomb,
Bound hand and foot by sin.
2 Yet though in massy fetters bound,
To God’s free grace a foe,
The gospel has a joyful sound:
“Loose him, and let him go.”
3 Sinners shall hear this joyful sound,
When God designs it so;
Grace shall beyond their sins abound;
“Loose him, and let him go.”
4 Justice, beholding his attire,
No more appears his foe;
He says, “I’ve all that I require;
Loose him, and let him go.”
5 He stands accepted in his name
Whose blood for him did flow;
The holy law proclaims the same:
“Loose him, and let him go.”
1093 C.M. J. Kent
“And a man shall be as a hiding place.” Isa. 32. 2
1 How welcome to the tempest-tossed,
Amidst the storm’s career,
While horror spreads from coast to coast,
Is some kind haven near!
2 But far more welcome to the soul
Is that secure abode,
(When terrors o’er the conscience roll)
The Rock prepared of God.
3 Jesus, arrayed in mortal form,
Of whom the prophets tell,
On his dear head, O what a storm
Of awful vengeance fell!
4 To him, my only Hiding-place,
Let me for shelter fly;
The storm of death draws on apace,
And who can say how nigh?
5 In that dread moment, O to hide
Beneath his sheltering blood!
’Twill Jordan’s icy waves divide,
And land my soul with God.
1094 C.M. J. Kent
“And such were some of you.” 1 Cor. 6. 11; 12. 2
1 Ye souls redeemed by Jesus’ blood,
Salvation’s theme pursue;
Exalt the sovereign grace of God,
For “such were some of you!”
2 From head to foot defiled by sin,
Deep in rebellion too;
This awful state mankind are in,
“And such were some of you!”
3 Whilst they are sinners dead to God,
Ye highly favoured few
Are washed from sin by Jesus’ blood;
For “such were some of you!”
4 As ye are chosen from the rest,
To grace the praise is due;
Be sovereign love for ever blest,
For “such were some of you!”
1095 C.M. Isaac Watts
“The Word was made flesh.” John 1. 14; 2 Cor. 5. 19
1 Dearest of all the names above,
My Jesus, and my God!
Who can resist thy heavenly love,
Or trifle with thy blood?
2 ’Tis by the merit of thy death
The Father smiles again;
’Tis by thy interceding breath,
The Spirit dwells with men.
3 Till God in human flesh I see,
My thoughts no comfort find;
The holy, just, and sacred Three,
Are terrors to my mind.
4 But if Immanuel’s face appear,
My hope, my joy begins;
His name forbids my slavish fear;
His grace removes my sins.
5 While some on their own works rely,
And some of wisdom boast,
I love the Incarnate Mystery,
And there I fix my trust.
1096 8.7. R. Burnham
“I had fainted, unless I had believed.” Ps. 27. 13
1 O what dangers, all distressing,
Snare each mourning pilgrim’s feet;
Gloomy sorrows still increasing,
Swell the present changing state.
2 Sometimes things around are cheering;
Grace and providence unite;
Nought but mercy seems appearing,
Yielding peace and sweet delight.
3 But new trials soon surround us,
Griefs and sorrows, sins and cares;
Creatures all conspire to wound us,
And no help from heaven appears.
4 O for faith, and hope, and patience,
Under every gracious rod;
Till at length we sing salvation,
Wrought by Zion’s faithful God!
1097 11s J. Kent
The Refuge. Deut. 33. 27; Ps. 46. 1; 48. 3
A refuge for sinners the gospel makes known;
’Tis found in the merits of Jesus alone;
The weary, the tempted, and burdened by sin,
Were never exempted from entering therein.
2
This refuge for sinners his love did ordain,
In Jesus the Lamb, from eternity slain;
And if God the Spirit reveal this to you,
Take refuge in Jesus, though hell should pursue.
3
The soul that shall enter in safety shall dwell;
There’s no peradventure of sinking to hell;
The oath of Jehovah secures him from fear,
Nor shall the avenger of blood enter there.
4
Here’s refuge for sinners, whose guilt shall appear
As black as the confines of endless despair;
Who, stripped of all merit whereon to rely,
Are taught by the Spirit to Jesus to fly.
5
Should conscience accuse us, as oft-times it may,
Here’s blood that can take its defilement away.
In Jesus the Saviour, the sinner shall view
A city of refuge and righteousness too.
1098 C.M. Isaac Watts
Repentance, and Faith in the Blood of Christ. Ps. 51. 14
1 O God of mercy, hear my call;
My load of guilt remove;
Break down this separating wall,
That bars me from thy love.
2 Give me the presence of thy grace,
Then my rejoicing tongue
Shall speak aloud thy righteousness,
And make thy praise my song.
3 No blood of goats, nor heifers slain
For sin could e’er atone;
The death of Christ shall still remain
Sufficient and alone.
4 A soul oppressed with sin’s desert
The Lord will ne’er despise;
A humble groan, a broken heart,
Is our best sacrifice.
1099 C.M. J. Hupton
“And he … wept bitterly.” Matt. 26. 75; Luke 22. 62
1 Jesus, omnipotent to save,
Exalted Prince of grace!
Light, life, and love, thou dost bestow
On men of vilest race.
2 The heart of steel to thee must yield,
The adamant give way;
The stoutest rebel bow and kneel,
And own thy sovereign sway.
3 Thy dying love, thy mercy felt,
Makes godly sorrow rise;
And tears of penitential grief
Gush from the sinner’s eyes.
4 Pardon through thy dear wounds and blood,
Thy gracious hand reveals,
And thy good Spirit on the heart
That gracious pardon seals.
5 “I hate my sins, I loathe myself,
O Lord!” the sinner cries;
“O quell my lust, nor let me fall!”
He prays with lifted eyes.
1100 C.M. John Newton
“Set your affection on things above.” Col. 3. 2
1 Let worldly minds the world pursue,
It has no charms for me;
Once I admired its trifles too,
But grace has set me free.
2 Its pleasures now no longer please,
No more content afford;
Far from my heart be joys like these,
Now I have seen the Lord.
3 As by the light of opening day
The stars are all concealed;
So earthly pleasures fade away,
When Jesus is revealed.
4 Creatures no more divide my choice;
I bid them all depart;
His name, and love, and gracious voice,
Have fixed my roving heart.
5 Now, Lord, I would be thine alone,
And wholly live to thee;
But may I hope that thou wilt own
A worthless worm like me?
6 Yes; though of sinners I’m the worst,
I cannot doubt thy will;
For if thou hadst not loved me first,
I thee had hated still.