Out of the deep I cry to thee-
Save, or I perish in despair.

2 Weeping, to Thee I lift mine eyes,
Mine eyes which fail with looking up,
For thee my heart laments and sighs
Sick with desire and lingering hope.

3 O that I could but surely know
If I at last shall mercy find!
For what am I reserv'd below?
Tell me, thou Saviour of mankind!
4 Let others walk with thee in light,
But bless me with one parting ray,
And ere I close mine eyes in night,
Give me to see thy perfect day.

285.

C. M.

(217.) Supplication for God's grace.

10 thee, O God! my pray'r ascends, But not for golden stores;

Nor covet I the brightest gems
On the rich eastern shores:

2 Nor that deluding empty joy.
Men call a mighty name,

Nor greatness with its pride and state,
My restless thoughts inflame:-

3 Nor pleasure's fascinating charms
My fond desires allure:

But nobler things than these, from thee,
My wishes would secure.

4 The faith and hope of joys to come
My best affections move;

Thy light, thy favour, and thy smiles,
Thine everlasting love.

5 These are the blessings I desire:
Lord, be these blessings mine!
And all the glories of the world
I cheerfully resign.

286.

C. M.

(218.)

God the portion of the Soul.

1 MY God, my portion, and my love!
My everlasting all!

I've none but thee in heav'n above,
Or on this earthly ball.

2 In vain the bright meridian sun
Scatters his feeble light:

Thy brighter beams create my noon;
If thou withdraw, 'tis night.

S And while upon my restless bed,
Amongst the shades I roll;
If God his light around me shed,
"Tis morning with my soul.

4 To thee I owe my wealth and friends,
And health, and safe abode.
Thanks to thy name for meaner things;
But they are not my God.

5 If I possess'd the spacious earth,
And call'd the stars my own;
Without thy mercy and thy love,
I were a wretch undone.

6 Let others stretch their arms like seas,
And grasp in all the shore;
Grant me to see thy blissful face,
And I desire no more!

287.

(219.) C. M.

God the Christian's portion.

1 GOD, my supporter and my hope,

My help for ever near!

Thine arm of mercy holds me up,
And saves me from despair.

2 Thy counsels, Lord! shall guide my feet Through this dark wilderness:

Thy hand conduct me near thy seat,
To dwell before thy face.

3 Were I in heav'n without my God,
"Twould be no joy to me;

And whilst this earth is my abode,
I long for none but thee.

What if the springs of life were broke,
And flesh and heart should faint?
God is my soul's eternal rock,

The strength of ev'ry saint.

5 Behold, the sinners, that remove
Far from thy presence, die:
Not all the idol-gods they love
Can save them, when they cry.

6 But to draw near to thee, my God!
Shall be my sweet employ.

My tongue shall sound thy works abroac
And tell the world my joy.

288.

1

€. M.

THOU hidden God, for whom I groan,
Till thou thyself declare:

God inaccessible, unknown,
Regard a sinner's prayer.

2 A sinner weltering in his blood,
Unpurg'd and unforgiven;
Far distant from the living God,
As far as hell from heaven.

3 An unregen'rate child of man,
To thee for faith I call;
Pity thy fallen creature's pain,
And raise me from my fall.

4 The darkness which, thro' thee, I feel, Thou only canst remove:

Thine own eternal power reveal,
The Deity of love.

5 I would not to thy foe submit:
I hate the tyrant's chain;

Send forth thy pris'ner from the pit,
Nor let me cry in vain,

6 Show me the blood that bought my peace, The cov❜nant blood apply!

And all my griefs at once shall cease,
And all my sins shall die.

7 Speak, Jesus, speak into my heart,
What thou for me hast done;
One grain of living faith impart,
And God is all my own.

289.

1

2

3

S. M.

JESUS, my strength, my hope,'

cast my care,

With humble confidence look up,
And know thou hear'st my prayer
Give me on thee to wait,

Till I can all things do,
On thee, Almighty to create,
Almighty to renew.

I want a sober mind,

A self-renouncing will,

That tramples down, and casts behind
The baits of pleasing ill.

A soul inur'd to pain,

To hardship, grief, and loss;
Bold to take up, firm to sustain

The consecrated cross.

I want a godly fear,

A quick discerning eye,

That looks to thee when sin is hear

And sees the tempter fly;

A spirit still prepar'd,

And arm'd with jealous care,

For ever standing on its guard,
And watching unto prayer.

5

I want a heart to pray,

To pray and never cease,
Never to murmur at thy stay
Or wish my suff'rings less.
This blessing, above all,
Always to pray I want,
Out of the deep on thee to call,
And never, never faint.

I want a true regard,

A single, steady aim,

Unmov'd by threat'ning or reward,

To thee and thy great name;

A jealous just concern

A

For thine immortal praise:
pure desire that all may learn,
And glorify thy grace.

C. M.

290. Imploring Mercy. Luke xviii. 18.
1 LORD, at thy feet in dust I lie,
And knock at mercy's door;

With humble heart and weeping eye;
Thy favour I implore.

2 On me, O Lord, do thou display
Thy rich, forgiving love;

O take my heinous guilt away,
This heavy load remove.
Without thy grace, I sink opprest
Down to the gates of hell;
O give my troubled spirit rest,
And all my fears dispel.

Tis mercy, mercy, I implore,
O may thy bowels move:
Thy grace is an exhaustless store,
And thou thyself art love.

5 Should I at last in heaven appear,
To join thy saints above;

I'll shout that mercy brought me there,
And sing thy bleeding love.