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: Alternate tune: #97 or #437
Tune Information
Name: OTTERBOURNE
Meter: L. M.
Key: A Major
Notes: Composer from index: Joseph Haydn, d. 1809



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