Verse 1
Perishing for hunger I,
Ever at the point to die,
Languishing for want of God
Can I taste my outward food?

Verse 2
Yet for thy commandment sake,
Lord, my outward food I take,
Strength for farther sufferings gain,
Lengthen out a life of pain.

Verse 3
Lo! My necessary meat
Still with bitter herbs I eat,
Till I out of Egypt pass,
Till I know thy pard’ning grace.

Verse 4
Spare, my friends, your vain expence,
Take your tastless dainties hence,
Give your idle reasonings o’er,
Grieve me with your love no more.

Verse 5
Well I know the promise sure
“All things to the pure are pure;”
But to me of lips unclean
Good is ill, and pleasure sin.

Verse 6
Leave me then without relief,
Obstinately fixt in grief,
Stedfastly resolv’d to know
No enjoyment here below.

Verse 7
Pleasure will I never taste
Till the pain of sin is past,
Never take delight in food
Till I feed upon my God.