O This Soul, How Dark and Blind

O this soul

how dark and blind;

O this fool­ish

earth­ly mind;

Ever fro­ward self­ish will

Which re­fus­es to be still!

O these ev­er roam­ing eyes

Upward that re­fuse to rise;

These still way­ward feet of mine

Found in eve­ry path but Thine!

O these puls­es felt with­in

Beating for the world and sin;

Sending round the fev­ered blood

In a fierce and car­nal flood!

O this stub­born pray­er­less knee

Hands so sol­emn clasped to Thee

Longings of the soul that go

Like the wild wind to and fro.

To and fro with­out an aim

Turning id­ly whence they came

Bringing in no joy

no bliss—

Adding to my wea­ri­ness!

Giver of the heav’n­ly peace

Bid

O bid

these tu­mults cease;

Minister Thy ho­ly balm

Fill me with Thy Spir­it’s calm.

Thou the life

the truth

the way

Leave me not in sin to stay;

Bearer of the sin­ner’s guilt

Lead me

lead me

as Thou wilt.