Hymns

Lord, I would spread my sore distress

by Isaac Watts·1719·Meter 8.6.8.6 (CM)

Based on Ps 51:3-13

1

Lord, I would spread my sore distress
And guilt before thine eyes;
Against thy laws, against thy grace,
How high my crimes arise!

2

Shouldst thou condemn my soul to hell,
And crush my flesh to dust,
Heav'n would approve thy vengeance well,
And earth must own it just.

3

I from the stock of Adam came,
Unholy and unclean;
All my original is shame,
And all my nature sin.

4

Born in a world of guilt, I drew
Contagion with my breath;
And as my days advanced, I grew
A juster prey for death.

5

Cleanse me, O Lord, and cheer my soul
With thy forgiving love;
O make my broken spirit whole,
And bid my pains remove.

6

Let not thy Spirit quite depart,
Nor drive me from thy face;
Create anew my vicious heart,
And fill it with thy grace.

7

Then will I make thy mercy known
Before the sons of men;
Backsliders shall address thy throne,
And turn to God again.

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