Doctor Watts's Imitation of the Psalms of David ‎#LIc

LIc. The Backslider restored; or, Repentance and Faith in the Blood of Christ

1 O thou that hear'st when sinners cry,
Tho' all my crimes before thee lie,
Behold them not with angry look,
But blot their memory from thy book.

2 Create my nature pure within,
And form my soul averse to sin:
Let thy good spirit ne'er depart,
Nor hide thy presence from my heart.

3 I cannot live without thy light,
Cast out and banish'd from thy sight:
Thine holy joys, my GOD, restore,
And guard me, that I fall no more.

4 Tho' I have griev'd thy spirit, Lord,
His help and comfort still afford;
And let a wretch come near thy throne,
To plead the merits of thy son.

5 A broken heart, my GOD, my king,
Is all the sacrifice I bring;
The God of grace will ne'er despise
A broken heart for sacrifice.

6 My soul lies humbled in the dust,
And owns thy dreadful sentence just;
Look down, O Lord, with pitying eye,
And save the soul condemn'd to die.

7 Then will I teach the world thy ways;
Sinners shall learn thy sovereign grace;
I'll lead them to my saviour's blood,
And they shall praise a pardoning GOD.

8 O may thy love inspire my tongue!
Salvation shall be all my song;
And all my powers shall join to bless
The Lord my strength and righteousness.

Text Information

• First Line: O thou that hear'st when sinners cry
• Title: The Backslider restored; or, Repentance and Faith in the Blood of Christ
• Meter: Long Metre
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1785
• Scripture:
  Psalm 51

Tune Information

(No tune information)