Divine Hymns, or Spiritual Songs ‎#124

124. The Sinner's shame and confusion

1 So foolish, so absurd am I,
That nothing can be more;
Was ever such a monster seen
Upon the earth before?

2 I dare not look upon the earth,
The witness of my sin;
My conscience is a doom's-day book,
I dare not look within.

3 Upward I dare not cast my eyes,
For there my Judge doth sit;
Nor downward whence the smoke doth rise,
From the infernal pit.

4 How shall I answer at the bar
Of him who is most pure?
I cannot answer for myself,
Myself I can't endure.

5 And as myself I can't endure,
Myself I cannot fly;
Thus fools do sell themselves for slaves,
And what a slave am I!

6 My heart the seet of folly is,
My life a life of sin;
Surely I am more brutal far,
Than ever brute has been.

7 Is this my wit? is this my way,
To make a glorious name?
Are these the thanks I've paid to heaven?
Ah, what a beast I am!

8 The crown is fallen from my head,
My royal robes are gone;
Confusion is my only cloak,
And I must put it on.

9 I am not worthy of the earth,
Nor worthy of the air,
Nor worthy of the wat'ry drop,
But of the damned's fare.

Text Information

• First Line: So foolish, so absurd am I
• Title: The Sinner's shame and confusion
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1800

Tune Information

(No tune information)