Author: James Montgomery Appears in 33 hymnals Lyrics: 1 I left the God of truth and light,
I left the God who gave me breath,
To wander in the wilds of night,
And perish in the snares of death.
2 Sweet was His service, and His yoke
Was light and easy to be borne;
Through all His bonds of love I broke,
I cast away His gifts with scorn.
3 I danced in folly’s giddy maze,
And drank the sea, and chased the wind;
But falsehood lurked in all her ways,
Her laughter left remorse behind.
4 I dreamed of bliss in pleasure’s bowers,
While pillowing roses stayed my head;
But serpents hissed among the flowers;
I woke, and thorns were all my bed.
5 In riches when I sought for joy,
And placed in sordid gains my trust,
I found that gold was all alloy,
And worldly treasure fleeting dust.
6 I wooed ambition, climbed the pole,
And shone among the stars—but fell,
Headlong, in all my pride of soul,
Like Lucifer, from Heav’n to hell.
7 Heart-broken, friendless, poor, cast down,
Where shall the chief of sinners fly,
Almighty Vengeance, from Thy frown?
Eternal Justice, from Thine eye?
8 Lo, through the gloom of guilty fears,
My faith discerns a dawn of grace;
The Sun of Righteousness appears
In Jesus’ reconciling face.
9 My suffering, slain, and risen Lord,
In sore distress I turn to Thee;
I claim acceptance on Thy word;
My God, my God, forsake not me.
10 Prostrate before the mercy seat,
I dare not, if I would, despair;
None ever perished at Thy feet,
And I will lie for ever there. Used With Tune: KIAWAH Text Sources: The Christian Psalmist (Glasgow, Scotland: Chalmers & Collins, 1825)
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