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1 Rejoice in God, the word commands,
And fain would I obey;
Yet still my spirit lingering stands,
While doubts impede my way.
2 How can my soul exult for joy,
Which feels this load of sin?
And how can praise my tongue employ,
While darkness reigns within?
3 Whence should my lips give rapture birth,
When I no rapture feel?
Or how should notes of heavenly mirth,
Sound from a breast of steel?
4 If falling tears and rising sighs,
In triumph share a part;
Then, Lord, behold these streaming eyes,
And search this bleeding heart!
5 My soul forgets to use her wings;
My harp neglected lies;
For sin has broken all its strings,
And guilt shuts out my joys.
6 The power, the sweetness, of thy voice,
Alone my heart can move;
Make me in Christ my Lord rejoice,
And melt my soul to love.
Source: A Collection of Hymns and Prayers, for Public and Private Worship #287
First Line: | Rejoice in God, the word commands |
Author: | Joseph Swain |
Copyright: | Public Domain |