Christ My Song - 279

Dear Lord! accept a sinful heart - Self-acquaintance
(William Cowper/Johannes Thomas Rüegg)

Self-acquaintance.

1. Dear Lord! accept a sinful heart,
  which of itself complains,
and mourns, with much and frequent smart,
  the evil it contains. PDF - Midi

2. The fiery seeds of anger lurk,
  which often hurt my frame;
and wait but for the tempter's work,
  to fan them to a flame.

3. Legality holds out a bribe
  to purchase life from thee;
and discontent would fain prescribe
  how thou shalt deal with me.

4. While unbelief withstands thy grace,
  and puts the mercy by;
presumption, with a brow of brass,
  says, "Give me, or I die."

5. How eager are my thoughts to roam
  in quest of what they love!
But ah! when duty calls them home,
  how heavily they move!

6. Oh, cleanse me in a Saviour's blood,
  transform me by thy power,
and make me thy beloved abode,
  and let me rove no more.

William Cowper, The Complete Poetical Works of William Cowper, 1853(?), 256-257.

            PDF - Midi