Church Book ‎#469

469. What strange perplexities arise

1 What strange perplexities arise,
What anxious fears and jealousies!
What crowds in doubtful light appear,
How few, alas, approved and clear!

2 And what am I?--my soul, awake,
And an impartial survey take.
Does no dark sign, no ground of fear,
In practice or in heart appear?

3 What image does my spirit bear?
Is Jesus formed and living there?
Ah, do His lineaments divine
In thought, and word, and action shine?

4 Searcher of hearts, O search me still;
The secrets of my soul reveal;
My fears remove; let me appear
To God and my own conscience clear!

Text Information

• First Line: What strange perplexities arise
• Author: Samuel Davies (1769, a.)
• Meter: L. M.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1890
• Topic: The Christian Life: Wisdom and Self-Knowledge
• Notes: Now Public Domain. Alternate tune: #97 or #437

Tune Information

• Name: OTTERBOURNE
• Meter: L. M.
• Key: A Major
• Notes: Now Public Domain. Composer from index: Joseph Haydn, d. 1809