Author: John Newton Meter: 6.6.6.6.8.8 Appears in 97 hymnals Lyrics: 1 Encouraged by Thy word
Of promise to the poor;
Behold, a beggar, Lord,
Waits at Thy mercy’s door!
No hand, no heart, O Lord, but Thine,
Can help or pity wants like mine.
2 The beggar’s usual plea
Relief from men to gain,
If offered unto Thee,
I know Thou would’st disdain:
And pleas which move Thy gracious ear,
Are such as men would scorn to hear.
3 I have no right to say
That though I now am poor,
Yet once there was a day
When I possessèd more:
Thou know’st that from my very birth,
I’ve been the poorest wretch on earth.
4 Nor can I dare profess,
As beggars often do,
Though great is my distress,
My wants have been but few:
If Thou shouldst leave my soul to starve,
It would be what I well deserve.
5 ’Twere folly to pretend
I never begged before;
Or if Thou now befriend,
I’ll trouble Thee no more:
Thou often hast relieved my pain,
And often I must come again.
6 Though crumbs are much too good
For such a dog as I;
No less than children’s food
My soul can satisfy:
O do not frown and bid me go,
I must have all Thou canst bestow.
7 Nor can I willing be
Thy bounty to conceal
From others, who like me,
Their wants and hunger feel:
I’ll tell them of Thy mercy’s store,
And try to send a thousand more.
8 Thy thoughts, Thou only wise!
Our thoughts and ways transcend,
Far as the archèd skies
Above the earth extend:
Such pleas as mine men would not bear,
But God receives a beggar’s prayer. Used With Tune: VIA PACIS Text Sources: Olney Hymns (London: W. Oliver, 1779)
Encouraged By Thy Word
My Starred Hymns
My FlexScores
My Hymnals
My Purchased Files
