Ash Wednesday (My sins have taken such an hold on me)

My sins have taken such an hold on me,
I am not able to look up to Thee;
Lord, I repent! accept my tears and grief:
But Thou hast taken all my sin away.
And I in Thee dare now look up and pray;
Lord, I believe! help Thou mine unbelief!

Of nights unhallow'd, and of sinful days.
Of careless thoughts, and words, and works, and ways.
Lord, I repent! accept my tears and grief:
And in the life which doth within me live,
And the forgiveness which can all forgive.
Lord, I believe! help Thou mine unbelief!

Of selfishness, which makes the soul unjust.
Envy and strife and every sinful lust.
Lord, I repent! accept my tears and grief:
And in the Blood which doth my pardon plead,
The Truth and Love which for me intercede,
Lord, I believe! help Thou mine unbelief!

Of sins that as a cloud have hid Thy face.
Of wounds fresh open'd, and Thy grieved grace,
Lord, I repent! accept my tears and grief:
In Love, which puts the envious veil aside,
Rending that veil of flesh which for me died.
Lord, I believe! help Thou mine unbelief!

Sin is my sorrow! passion is my pain!
To Thee their vileness — and in me their stain;
Lord, I repent! accept my tears and grief:
Christ is my joy! and out of my distress
He doth deliver with His Righteousness;
Lord, I believe! help Thou mine unbelief!