Backsliding

Verse 1

Oh, for a closer walk with God!
A calm and heavenly frame!
A light to shine upon the road
That leads me to the Lamb!

Verse 2

Where is the blessedness I knew
When first I saw the Lord?
Where is the soul-refreshing view
Of Jesus and his word?

Verse 3

What peaceful hours I then enjoyed!
How sweet their memory still!
But now I find an aching void
The world can never fill.

Verse 4

Return, oh, holy Dove, return,
Sweet messenger of rest;
I hate the sins that made thee mourn,
And drove thee from, my breast.

Verse 5

The dearest idol I have known,
Whatever that idol be,
Help me to tear it from thy throne,
And worship only thee.

Verse 6

So shall my walk be close with God,
Calm and serene my frame;
So purer light shall mark the road
That leads me to the Lamb.

Verse 1

O Jesus! full of grace,
To thee I make my moan:
Let me again behold thy face--
Call home thy banished one.

Verse 2

Again my pardon seal,
Again my soul restore,
And freely my backslidings heal,
And bid me sin no more.

Verse 3

Thine utmost mercy show;
Say to my drooping soul--
In peace and full assurance go;
Thy faith hath made thee whole.

Verse 1

Stay, thou insulted Spirit, stay,
Though I have done thee such despite,
Nor cast the sinner quite away,
Nor take thine everlasting flight.

Verse 2

Though I have steeled my stubborn heart,
And still shook off my guilty fears;
And vexed and urged, thee to depart,
For many long rebellious years.

Verse 3

Though I have most unfaithful been,
Of all whoe’er thy grace received!
Ten thousand times thy goodness seen;
Ten thousand times thy goodness grieved;

Verse 4

This only woe I deprecate;
This only plague I pray remove;
Nor leave me in my lost estate;
Nor curse me with this want of love.

Verse 5

Now, Lord, my weary soul release,
Upraise me with thy gracious hand,
And guide into thy perfect peace,
And bring me to the promised land.

Verse 1

Stay, thou insulted Spirit, stay,
Though I have done thee such despite,
Nor cast the sinner quite away,
Nor take thine everlasting flight.

Verse 2

Though I have steeled my stubborn heart,
And still shook off my guilty fears;
And vexed and urged, thee to depart,
For many long rebellious years.

Verse 3

Though I have most unfaithful been,
Of all whoe’er thy grace received!
Ten thousand times thy goodness seen;
Ten thousand times thy goodness grieved;

Verse 4

This only woe I deprecate;
This only plague I pray remove;
Nor leave me in my lost estate;
Nor curse me with this want of love.

Verse 5

Now, Lord, my weary soul release,
Upraise me with thy gracious hand,
And guide into thy perfect peace,
And bring me to the promised land.