When I am in the natural man

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.

When in the world I have my life

I cannot sense my failure rife

But boasting in my earnest strife

I forward press.

When I within the darkness dwell

My shallow state I cannot tell

I only think how I excel

And proudly dream.

But when at last I come to Thee

Thy searching light uncovers me

I see what I could never see—

My self exposed.

I wither ’neath Thy piercing ray

And all my strength dissolves away

My self-esteem in dust I lay

And lowly bow.

How blind and foolish is the pride

With which my soul was fortified;

From my dark heart

self-satisfied

It issued forth.

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?

Thy blood from judgment saveth me.

Thy life from wrath delivers me

How filthy yet in poverty

I really am.

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!