Religion

Looking unto Jesus

by Charles Wesley 1707–1788

From Hymns and Sacred Poems (1740) · Osborn ed., vol. 1 (1868)

Religion

Regardless now of things below,
JESUS, to Thee my heart aspires,
Determined Thee alone to know,
Author and end of my desires:
Fill me with righteousness Divine;
To end, as to begin, is Thine.

What is a worthless worm to Thee?
What is in man Thy grace to move?
That still Thou seekest those who flee
The arms of Thy pursuing love?
That still Thy inmost bowels cry,
"Why, sinner, wilt thou perish, why?"

Ah, show me, Lord, my depth of sin!
Ah, Lord, Thy depth of mercy show!
End, JESUS, end this war within:
No rest my spirit e'er shall know,
Till Thou Thy quickening influence give:
Breathe, Lord, and these dry bones shall live.

There, there before the throne Thou art,
The Lamb e'er earth's foundations slain!
Take Thou, O, take this guilty heart;
Thy blood will wash out every stain:
No cross, no sufferings I decline;
Only let all my heart be Thine!

✦ ✦ ✦

Attributed to Charles Wesley; Osborn's edition does not distinguish the brothers

MLA

Wesley, Charles. “Looking unto Jesus.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/wesley_c/77/.

Chicago

Wesley, Charles. “Looking unto Jesus.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/wesley_c/77/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Charles Wesley