Fear ! — sure, Lord, a sinner must

Fear! — sure, Lord, a sinner must
Often fear while he is dust,
While he owns a heart within
Full of earthliness and sin.

Never let my spirit be
In such false security,
As to walk, while wand'ring here
Amid sin, without a fear!

'Tis not that I doubt my God
Or the power of His blood,
That His love could ever leave me,
Or His truth could e'er deceive me!

'Tis not that I fear His pow'r
Failing in the darkest hour,
Or that death or hell could ever
Me from my Redeemer sever!

But lest I should grieve His grace,
And lest He should hide His face,
And my heart then wand'ring go
Where 'twould lose its Heav'n below.

Lord, I'm weak but Thou art strong,
Faint, but Thou shalt be my song,
Weak and faint, but when I fear
I'll remember Thou art near.

For the closer I have trod
Daily with Thee, O my God,
Well I know, I've found within
Less of fear, — since less of sin.

Therefore though my trust, O Lord!
Rest upon Thy faithful word,
And no shade of doubt could make
Me suppose Thou would'st forsake; —

Never let my spirit be
In such false security,
As to walk, while wand'ring here
Amid sin, without a fear!