Hymns and Spiritual Songs, in Three Books ‎#II.XX

II.XX. Backslidings and returns: or the inconstancy of our love

1 Why is my heart so far from thee,
My God, my chief delight?
Why are my thoughts no more by day
With thee, no more by night?

2 [Why should my foolish passions rove?
Where can such sweetness be
As I have tasted in thy love,
As I have found in thee?]

3 When my forgetful soul renews
The savour of thy grace,
My heart presumes I cannot lose
The relish all my days.

4 But ere one fleeting hour is pass'd,
The flatt'ring world employs
Some sensual bait to seize my taste,
And to pollute my joys.

5 [Trifles of nature, or of art,
With fair, deceitful charms,
Intrude into my thoughtless heart,
And thrust me from thy arms.]

6 Then I repent, and vex my soul
That I should leave thee so:
Where will those wild affections roll
That let a Saviour go?

7 [Sin's promis'd joys are turn'd to pain,
And I am drown'd in grief;
But my dear Lord returns again,
He flies to my relief;

8 Seizing my soul with sweet surprise;
He draws with loving bands;
Divine compassion in his eyes,
And pardon in his hands.]

9 [Wretch that I am, to wander thus
In chase of false delight!
Let me be fasten'd to thy cross,
Rather than lose thy sight.

10 Make haste, my days, to reach the goal,
And bring my heart to rest
On the dear centre of my soul,
My God, my Saviour's breast.]

Text Information

• First Line: Why is my heart so far from thee
• Title: Backslidings and returns: or the inconstancy of our love
• Meter: C. M.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1793

Tune Information

(No tune information)