O the bitter shame and sorrow. T. Monod. [Gratitude.] Mr. J. Thin's annotation of this hymn (the substance of which was derived apparently direct from the author) as given in his Notes of 1887 to the Scottish Presbyterian Hymnal, reads:—
By Rev. Theodore Monod, Paris. Written by him in English during a series of Consecration meetings held at Broadlands, England, in July 1874. Given by the author to Lord Mount-Temple at the close of the meetings, and printed by his lordship on the back of a programme card for another series of similar meetings held at Oxford in October, l874 . . . . The author writes (1887) that he now wishes line 4 of verse 4 to read, ‘Grant me now my supplication.' "
This hymn is given in several collections, including the Hymnal Companion, 1876, where, in the annotated edition, it is accompanied by the following note by Bishop E. H. Bickersteth:—
" This touching hymn by Monod, with the exception of reading ‘petition' for ‘desire' [stanza iv. l. 4] for the measure's sake, is without alteration. In one of the last letters which the Editor received from the late Sir H. W. Baker, he expressed his great regret that it was not included in the revised edition of Hymns Ancient & Modern.”
It is in the Hymns Ancient & Modern Supplement Hymns, 1889.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
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