Go Ad-Free
If you regularly use Hymnary.org, you might benefit from eliminating ads. Consider buying a subscription.
If you regularly use Hymnary.org, you might benefit from eliminating ads. Consider buying a subscription.
1 How sad our state by nature is,
our sin how deep it stains;
and Satan binds our captive minds
fast in his slavish chains.
But there's a voice of sov'reign grace
sounds from the sacred word,
"Ho! ye despairing sinners, come,
and trust upon the Lord."
2 My soul obeys th'almighty call,
and runs to this relief;
I would believe Thy promise, Lord;
O help my unbelief.
Unto the fountain of Thy blood,
Incarnate God, I fly;
here let me wash my spotted soul
from crimes of deepest dye.
3 Stretch out Thine arm, victorious King,
my reigning sins subdue;
and drive the dragon from his seat,
with all his hellish crew.
A guilty, weak, and helpless worm,
on Thy kind arms I fall;
be Thou my strength and righteousness,
my Jesus, and my all.
Source: Psalms and Hymns to the Living God #200
First Line: | How sad our state by nature is! |
Title: | Faith in Christ For Pardon and Sanctification |
Author: | Isaac Watts |
Meter: | 8.6.8.6 |
Language: | English |
Copyright: | Public Domain |
How sad our state by nature i. J. Watts. [Salvation through Christ.] First published in his Hymns & Sacred Songs, 1707 (edition 1709, Book ii., No. 90), in 6 stanzas of 4 lines, and headed "Faith in Christ for Pardon and Sanctification." In 1736-7 it was included by J. Wesley in his Charlestown Psalms &Hymns, p. 52, with the change of stanza v., line 4, "With all his hellish crew,” to "With his infernal crew." Wesley's alteration was repeated by G. Whitefield in his Collection, 1753; by M. Madan, in his Psalms & Hymns 1760, and others. In Conyers's Collection, edition 1774, the line reads, “And form our souls anew.” In modern hymn-books the difficulty is over-come by the omission of the stanza. Several interesting "Associations " in connection with this hymn are given in G. J. Stevenson's Methodist Hymn Book Notes, 1883.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)