Praying for Repentance

Representative Text

1 Jesus, let Thy pitying eye
Call back a wandering sheep;
False to Thee, like Peter, I
Would fain, like Peter, weep;
Let me be by grace restored,
On me be all long-suffering shown;
Turn, and look upon me, Lord,
And break my heart of stone.

2 Saviour, Prince, enthrone above,
Repentance to impart,
Give me, through Thy dying love,
The humble, contrite heart;
Speak the reconciling word,
And let Thy mercy melt me down;
Turn, and look upon me, Lord,
And break my heart of stone.

3 For Thine own compassion's sake
The gracious wonder show;
Cast my sins behind Thy back,
And wash me white as snow,
Speak my paradise restored
Redeem me by Thy grace alone;
Turn, and look upon me, Lord,
And break my heart of stone.

4 Look, as when Thy languid eye
Was closed, that we might live;
"Father," at the point to die
My Saviour gasped "forgive!"
Surely, with that dying word,
He turns, and looks, and cries, "'Tis done!"
O my bleeding, loving Lord,
Thou break'st my heart of stone!

Source: Methodist Hymn and Tune Book: official hymn book of the Methodist Church #344

Author: Charles Wesley

Charles Wesley, M.A. was the great hymn-writer of the Wesley family, perhaps, taking quantity and quality into consideration, the great hymn-writer of all ages. Charles Wesley was the youngest son and 18th child of Samuel and Susanna Wesley, and was born at Epworth Rectory, Dec. 18, 1707. In 1716 he went to Westminster School, being provided with a home and board by his elder brother Samuel, then usher at the school, until 1721, when he was elected King's Scholar, and as such received his board and education free. In 1726 Charles Wesley was elected to a Westminster studentship at Christ Church, Oxford, where he took his degree in 1729, and became a college tutor. In the early part of the same year his religious impressions were much deepene… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Jesus, let Thy pitying eye
Title: Praying for Repentance
Author: Charles Wesley
Meter: 7.6.7.6.7.8.7.6
Language: English
Refrain First Line: Turn and look upon me, Lord
Copyright: Public Domain

Notes

"Jesus let thy pitying eye" is the original version of this hymn. The version "Dear Jesus, let thy pitying eye" is an American revision which alters the first and third lines of each stanza to 8 syllables (probably to fit it to a specific tune). The earliest that the "Dear Jesus" version appeared seems to be in Asahel Nettleton's Village Hymns. Nettleton may have been the originator of this version, but there is no proof of this.

Information provided by Gerald Montagna

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 3 of 3)

AGO Founders Hymnal #23

The Baptist Hymnal #415

TextScoreAudio

The Cyber Hymnal #3361

Include 297 pre-1979 instances
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