1
When I am in the natural man,
How very strong I feel I am.
I do not know, I cannot scan
How weak I am.
How very strong I feel I am.
I do not know, I cannot scan
How weak I am.
2
When in the world I have my life,
I cannot sense my failure rife,
But boasting in my earnest strife,
I forward press.
I cannot sense my failure rife,
But boasting in my earnest strife,
I forward press.
3
When I within the darkness dwell,
My shallow state I cannot tell,
I only think how I excel,
And proudly dream.
My shallow state I cannot tell,
I only think how I excel,
And proudly dream.
4
But when at last I come to Thee,
Thy searching light uncovers me,
I see what I could never see—
My self exposed.
Thy searching light uncovers me,
I see what I could never see—
My self exposed.
5
I wither ’neath Thy piercing ray,
And all my strength dissolves away,
My self-esteem in dust I lay,
And lowly bow.
And all my strength dissolves away,
My self-esteem in dust I lay,
And lowly bow.
6
How blind and foolish is the pride
With which my soul was fortified;
From my dark heart, self-satisfied,
It issued forth.
With which my soul was fortified;
From my dark heart, self-satisfied,
It issued forth.
7
There’s not a thing that pride can claim,
There’s not a member but is lame,
There’s only deep regret and shame,
How can I pray?
There’s not a member but is lame,
There’s only deep regret and shame,
How can I pray?
8
Thy blood from judgment saveth me.
Thy life from wrath delivers me,
How filthy yet in poverty
I really am.
Thy life from wrath delivers me,
How filthy yet in poverty
I really am.
9
I want to pray, but faith have not,
I fain would seek Thee as Thou art.
Oh, canst Thou e’er renew my heart,
Have mercy, Lord!
I fain would seek Thee as Thou art.
Oh, canst Thou e’er renew my heart,
Have mercy, Lord!