Try us, O God, and search the ground

Verse 1
Try us, O God, and search the ground
Of every sinful heart,
Whate’er of sin in us is found,
O bid it all depart.

Verse 2
When to the right or left we stray,
Leave us not comfortless,
But guide our feet into the way
Of everlasting peace.

Verse 3
Help us to help each other, Lord,
Each other’s cross to bear,
Let each his friendly aid afford,
And feel his brother’s care.

Verse 4
Help us to build each other up,
Our little stock improve,
Increase our faith, confirm our hope,
And perfect us in love.

Verse 5
Up into thee, our living head,
Let us in all things grow,
Till thou hast made us free indeed,
And sinless here below.

Verse 6
Then when the mighty work is wrought,
Receive thy ready bride,
Give us in heaven a[1] happy lot
With all the sanctified.

[1] Wesley changed “a” to “an” in 1745 but returned to “a” in following editions.

Hymnal/Album: Originally titled: "A Prayer for Persons Join’d in Fellowship, Part I." Introduced in Hymns and Sacred Poems (1742), published by John and Charles Wesley (London: William Strahan, 1742). Published in The Poetical Works of John and Charles Wesley, Collected and Arranged by G. Osborn, Vol. 2 (London: Wesleyan-Methodist Conference Office, 1869), page 136.
Publishing: Public Domain