Verse 1
Oh! The dire effects of sin!
What tongue can fully tell
All that I have felt within,
Since first from grace I fell!
Still thou seest my stormy breast,
My soul is as the troubled sea,
Never, never can I rest,
Till I believe in thee.

Verse 2
O the load my spirit bears,
The mountain of my grief!
Full of cruel doubts and fears,
Of racking unbelief:
Did I ever thee behold?
Thee did I ever truly know?
I can neither keep my hold,
Nor let my Saviour go.

Verse 3
Did I not my soul deceive
With groundless hopes of heaven?
Did I, Lord, indeed believe,
And was I once forgiven?
Still I ask, but no reply:
O bid me, bid me come to thee:
Son of David, hear my cry,
If mercy is for me.

Verse 4
Hear me still myself bemoan,
A bullock to the yoke
Unaccustom’d I rush on—
O that my heart were broke!
Long I after thee have mourn’d,
And still unpitied I complain,
Turn me, and I shall be turn’d,
And never sin again.

Verse 5
Me thou would’st not disregard,
Were I indeed sincere,
But my heart, alas! Is hard,
And void of love, and fear;
Seldom can I lift mine eyes,
Or offer thee an hearty groan;
Take, if thou would’st have me rise,
O take away the stone.