A Selection of Psalms and Hymns ‎#CCLXXXV

CCLXXXV. Doubting

1 'Tis a point I long to know,
Oft it causes anxious thought;
Do I love the LORD, or no?
Am I his, or am I not?

2 If I love, why am I thus?
Why this dull and lifeless frame?
Hardly, sure, can they be worse
Who have never heard thy name.

3 Could my heart so hard remain,
Prayer a task and burden prove,
Every trifle give me pain,
If I knew a Saviour's love!

4 When I turn my eyes within,
All is dark, and vain and wild;
Fill'd with unbelief and sin,
Can I deem myself a child?

5 If I pray, or hear, or read,
Sin is mix'd with all I do;
You who love the LORD indeed,
Tell me, is it thus with you?

6 Yet I mourn my stubborn will,
Find my sin a grief and thrall;
Should I grieve at what I feel,
If I did not love at all?

7 Could I joy his saints to meet,
Choose the way I once abhor'd;
Find, at times, the promise sweet,
If I did not love the LORD?

8 LORD, decide the doubtful case?
Thou, who art the people's sun;
Since upon thy work of grace,
If it be indeed begun.

9 Let me love thee more and more,
If I love at all, I'll pray;
If I have not lov'd before,
Help me to begin To-day.

Text Information

• First Line: 'Tis a point I long to know
• Title: Doubting
• Author: Newton
• Meter: Sevens
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1790
• Topic: Doubting
• Notes: Now Public Domain.

Tune Information

(No tune information)