Hymns

My bosom was designed to be

by ·1814·Meter 8.8.6

Based on Luke 19:46

1

My bosom was designed to be
A house of prayer, O Lord for thee,
A temple undefiled;
But vile outrageous thieves broke in,
And turned the house into a den,
And all its glory spoiled.

2

There anger lies, and lust, and pride,
And envy base its head will hide,
And malice brooding ill;
There unbelief the Lord denies,
And falsehood whispers out its lies,
And avarice gripeth still.

3

Thy help, Almighty Lord, impart,
And drag the tyrants from my heart,
And chase the thieves away;
Within my bosom fix thy throne,
And there be loved and served alone,
And teach me how to pray.

4

The work is thine to cleanse the place;
I can but look up for thy grace,
Nor this without thy aid;
Then let thy indignation burn,
And all thy foes o'erturn, o'erturn,
And rear again my head.