After the Death of a Friend, Part 3

A Wretched slave of sin, to Thee,
Thou sinner's Friend, I ever cry,
Pity, and end my misery,
Forgive, renew, and let me die.

Ah! let it not my Lord displease
That I to Thee my wishes breathe;
Hear, Jesus, hear; my soul release,
And let me find an early death.

I groan to be redeem'd from sin;
When shall the dear deliverance come?
Open Thine arms, and take me in,
Receive Thy pardon'd exile home.

Alas for me! constrain'd to dwell
Among the horrid sons of night.
Snatch from this neighbourhood of hell,
Translate me to the realms of light.

Eager I urge my sole request;
Wilt Thou not, Lord, therewith comply?
Take me into Thy people's rest,
And bid me get me up, and die.

Impatient for my change I wait,
For death I sigh, for death I mourn;
Whom Thou hast made, again create,
And let my spirit to God return.

This vale of tears and misery,
This earth, I know, is not my place:
O that I were dissolved in Thee,
O that I might behold Thy face!

My life to Thee I fain would give,
And be where Thou my Saviour art:
Better it is to die than live;
O speak, and bid my soul depart.

Receive my soul, which gasps for death,
My soul redeem'd by Thy own blood,
And let me now resign my breath,
And sink into the arms of God!