Verse 1
Yet soon my wretched heart
To folly turn’d again.
How could I, Lord, from thee depart,
And make thy mercy vain?
’Twas pride my soul betray’d,
I lost my poverty,
An idol of thy gifts I made,
And lov’d them more than thee.

Verse 2
Thy perfect comeliness,
In which my soul did shine,
Dazzled my eyes; thy glorious dress
I fondly counted mine:
With sacrilegious boast
I spread mine own renown,
And in thy beauty put my trust,
And call’d it all my own.

Verse 3
I thought not of my God,
Nor call’d to mind the day
When naked, foul, and in my blood,
And loath’d of all I lay:
None cast a pitying eye,
None could assistance give,
Till Jesus graciously pass’d by,
And bad the sinner live.

Verse 4
Why did I this forget,
So soon return to sin?
How weak my heart that could submit,
And let the mischief in!
I fell, alas! Thro’ pride,
I needed not thy blood,
As when I felt it first, and cry’d,
“Thou art my Lord my God.”

Verse 5
O that I once again
“My Lord, my God” could cry!
Dost thou not on my sin and pain
Still cast a pitying eye?
Thy mercy still is free;
For aggravated guilt,
For sinners foul and black as me
Thy precious blood was spilt.

Verse 6
Thou seest me lost in shame,
But thou canst still forgive;
Polluted in my blood I am,
But thou canst bid me live.
O speak the gracious word,
Thy mercy let me prove;
Stand still, and look upon me, Lord,
Make this the time of love.

Verse 7
Jesu, if thou hast died
My worthless soul to win;
Spread over me thy skirt, and hide
My nakedness and sin;
Impute thy righteousness,
Wash away all my blood,
Adorn me now with every grace,
And feed, and fill with God.