The contrite heart.
Isa 47:15
The Lord will happiness divine
On contrite hearts bestow;
Then tell me, gracious God, is mine
A contrite heart or no?
I hear, but seem to hear in vain,
Insensible as steel;
If aught is felt, 'tis only pain,
To find I cannot feel.
I sometimes think myself inclined
To love Thee if I could;
But often feel another mind,
Averse to all that's good.
My best desires are faint and few,
I fain would strive for more;
But when I cry, "My strength renew!"
Seem weaker than before.
Thy saints are comforted, I know,
And love Thy house of prayer;
I therefore go where others go,
But find no comfort there.
Oh make this heart rejoice, or ache;
Decide this doubt for me;
And if it be not broken, break,
And heal it, if it be.
William Cowper (1731-1800)
Olney Hymns, 1779.
2 comments:
After the suicide of a daughter of a friend of mine, I felt l should lead Cambridge (287, Denson) with these words. But I also felt led to add the verse:
I’ll go to Jesus, though my sin
Hath like a mountain rose;
I know His courts, I’ll enter in,
Whatever may oppose.
May God bless the family of your friend. I am sorry to hear of their tragedy.
I like that hymn and the accompanying Sacred Harp tune Fairfield.
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