Church Book ‎#359

359. The abyss of many a former sin

1 The abyss of many a former sin
Encloses me, and bars me in:
Like billows my transgressions roll;--
Be Thou the Pilot of my soul!
And to salvation’s harbor bring,
Thou Saviour and Thou glorious King!

2 My Father’s heritage abused,
Wasted by lust, by sin misused;
To shame and want and misery brought,
The slave to many a fruitless thought:
I cry to Thee, who lovest men,
O pity and receive again!

3 In hunger now, no more possest
Of that my portion bright and blest,
The exile and the alien see,
Who yet would fain return to Thee!
And save me, Lord, who seek to raise,
To Thy dear Love the hymn of praise!

4 With that saved thief my prayer I make,
Remember for Thy mercy’s sake!
With that poor publican I cry,
Be merciful, O God most high!
With that lost prodigal I fain
Back to my home would turn again!

5 Mourn, mourn, my soul, with earnest care,
And raise to Christ the contrite prayer:—
O Thou who freely wast made poor,
My sorrows and my sins to cure,
Me, poor of all good works, embrace,
Enriching with Thy boundless grace!

Text Information

• First Line: The abyss of many a former sin
• Author: Joseph of the Studium (ab. 860)
• Translator: John Mason Neale (1862)
• Meter: L. M.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1890
• Topic: The Order of Salvation: Repentance; Sundays in Lent; First Sunday after Trinity; Seventh Sunday after Trinity; Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity; Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity; Twentieth Sunday after Trinity
• Notes: Alternate tune: #239

Tune Information

• Name: MACCABAEUS
• Meter: L. M.
• Key: G Major
• Notes: Composer from index: From Handel, 1742