Groaning for Redemption, Part 1

O Jesu, still, still shall I groan
Beneath the galling yoke of sin?
Wilt Thou not claim me for Thine own,
And speak the word, and make me clean?
My load is more than I can bear:
Where is the Friend of sinners? where?

Is there no balm in Thee to heal
The anguish of a sin-sick soul?
Dost Thou not know the pangs I feel?
Dost Thou not see the billows roll?
My soul is all a troubled sea,
I cannot find my rest in Thee.

But wilt Thou let Thy foe devour
And take me as his lawful prey?
But must I sink beneath the power
Of sin, and fall a castaway?
Forbid it Love I and save, (if Thou
Art Love indeed,) O, save me now!

Tis not the punishment I dread;
Harden'd I seem, and cannot fear
Thy wrath abiding on my head,
Or deprecate Thy judgments near:
But rescue me from Satan's power;
Save me from sin, I ask no more.

I ask not sensible delight,
The joy and comfort of Thy grace;
Still let me want Thy blissful sight,
Let me go mourning all my days;
With trembling awe Thy ways adore;
But save me, that I sin no more.

Rather than suffer me to sin,
Now, Lord, my spotted soul require:
I know that I am all unclean,
And Thou a sin-consuming fire;
I cannot now in heaven appear;
Nothing unclean shall enter there.

Yet now I choose to breathe my last,
Rather than turn to sin again:
On Thee my soul unchanged I cast,
And, foul with every sinful stain,
I plunge me in a sea unknown,
Without Thine utmost grace — undone!

Thou canst cut short the work, and heal
The sinner in a moment's space;
Be it according to Thy will;
I leave it to Thy secret grace;
I venture all on this last hour,
And die, that I may sin no more.