Coram Deo
AS

How Oft, Alas! This Wretched Heart

Anne Steele· Post-Reformation

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Verse 1

How oft, alas! this wretched heart
Has wandered from the Lord,
How oft my roving thoughts depart,
Forgetful of His word.

Verse 2

Yet sovereign mercy calls, “Return;”
Dear Lord, and may I come?
My vile ingratitude I mourn;
O take the wanderer home.

Verse 3

And canst Thou, wilt Thou yet forgive,
And bid my crimes remove?
And shall a pardoned rebel live
To speak Thy wondrous love?

Verse 4

Almighty grace, thy healing power,
How glorious, how Divine!
That can to bliss and life restore
So vile a heart as mine.

Verse 5

Thy pardoning love, so free, so sweet,
Dear Saviour, I adore;
O keep me at Thy sacred feet,
And let me rove no more.

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