Verse 1
Oh! But must I, Lord, return
Into the dreadful fight,
Bear what is not to be born
Again drag’d out to light!
I a weak, and helpless worm
Only shall thy cause betray,
Perish in temptation’s storm,
A final castaway.

Verse 2
Didst thou only bid me leap
Into a burning fire,
Cast me down the threatning steep,
Or now my soul require,
Gladly would I now comply,
Plunge into the depths beneath,
Rush into the flames, and die
To ’scape the second death.

Verse 3
O Almighty God of love,
Thy holy arm display,
Send me succour from above
In this my evil day;
Arm my weakness with thy power;
Woman’s seed appear within:
Be my safeguard, and my tower
Against the face of sin.

Verse 4
Could I of thy strength take hold,
And always feel thee near,
Stedfastly, divinely bold
My soul would scorn to fear.
Nothing should my firmness shock:
Though the gates of hell assail,
Were I built upon the Rock,
They never could prevail.

Verse 5
Rock of my salvation, haste,
Extend thy ample shade,
Let it over me be cast,
And skreen my naked head:
Save me from the trying hour,
Thou my sure protection be,
Shelter me from Satan’s power,
Till I am fixt on thee.

Verse 6
Set upon thyself my feet,
And make me surely stand,
From temptation’s rage and heat
Cover me with thy hand:
Let me in the cleft be placed,
Never from my fence remove,
In thy[1] arms of love embrac’d,
Of everlasting love.

[1] Wesley changed “thy” to “thine” in 1745.