Lord, I'm defiled in every part

1 Lord, I'm defiled in every part,
Barren my life, and cold my heart,
Yet sometimes, through thy sovereign grace,
I catch a glimpse of Jesu's face.

2 This gives my drowsy heart a spring,
I fain would rise, and fain would sing;
But soon a cloud rolls in between,
All black with some indwelling sin.

3 My notes then falter on my tongue,
the soul contagion spoils my song;
But Thou, who dost the world control,
Speak but the word, I shall be whole.

The Hartford Selection of Hymns from the most approved authors, 1799