O this soul, how dark and blind

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O this soul, how dark and blind

Author: Horatius Bonar
Tune: FERRIER
Published in 23 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, Noteworthy Composer
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 O this soul, how dark and blind;
O this foolish, earthly mind;
Ever froward selfish will,
Which refuses to be still!

2 O these ever roaming eyes,
Upward that refuse to rise;
These still wayward feet of mine,
Found in every path but Thine!

3 O these pulses felt within,
Beating for the world and sin;
Sending round the fevered blood,
In a fierce and carnal flood!

4 O this stubborn prayerless knee,
Hands so solemn clasped to Thee,
Longings of the soul that go,
Like the wild wind to and fro.

5 To and fro without an aim,
Turning idly whence they came,
Bringing in no joy, no bliss—
Adding to my weariness!

6 Giver of the heav’nly peace,
Bid, O bid, these tumults cease;
Minister Thy holy balm,
Fill me with Thy Spirit’s calm.

7 Thou the life, the truth, the way,
Leave me not in sin to stay;
Bearer of the sinner’s guilt,
Lead me, lead me, as Thou wilt.

Source: The Cyber Hymnal #11263

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Author: Horatius Bonar

Horatius Bonar was born at Edinburgh, in 1808. His education was obtained at the High School, and the University of his native city. He was ordained to the ministry, in 1837, and since then has been pastor at Kelso. In 1843, he joined the Free Church of Scotland. His reputation as a religious writer was first gained on the publication of the "Kelso Tracts," of which he was the author. He has also written many other prose works, some of which have had a very large circulation. Nor is he less favorably known as a religious poet and hymn-writer. The three series of "Hymns of Faith and Hope," have passed through several editions. --Annotations of the Hymnal, Charles Hutchins, M.A. 1872… Go to person page >

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