The Doubting Soul's Solioquy

O could I lift this heart of mine

Author: Daniel Herbert
Published in 1 hymnal

Representative Text

1 O could I lift this heart of mine
Above these creature things,
I’d fly, and leave this world below,
As though on eagle’s wings.

2 [But ah! I feel no love at all,
Can neither praise nor pray;
O would the Lord but shine again,
And turn this night to day!]

3 But whither can I go to lodge
My sorrow and complaint?
Unless the Lord is pleased to shine,
I mope, I grieve, I faint.

4 I find my striving all in vain,
Unless my Lord is near;
My heart is hard; I’m such a wretch –
Can neither love nor fear.

5 I ask my soul this question then,
For here I would begin:
O do I feel a want of Christ
To save me from my sin?

6 The souls redeemed by precious blood
Are taught this lesson well;
’Tis not of him that wills or runs,
But Christ who saves from hell.

Source: A Selection of Hymns for Public Worship. In four parts (10th ed.) (Gadsby's Hymns) #676

All representative texts • Compare texts ^ top

Author: Daniel Herbert

Herbert, Daniel , for many years a Congregational Minister at Sudbury, Suffolk (b. circa 1751, d. Aug. 29, 1833), published:— Hymns & Poems, Doctrinal and Sentimental, for the Citizens of Zion, who are longing to know their election of God, and who love Evanqelical Truths. These were published in 3 volumes. (i., 1801; ii., 1819; iii., 1827). Both hymns and poems are very indifferent in quality, and strongly Calvinistic in doctrine. (Singers & Songs, by J. Miller, 1869.) -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology Go to person page >

^ top