We own, O Lord, thy precept just

1 We own, O Lord, thy precept just
Against impure desires and lust,
And mourn with grief and hum ble shame
Our guilty and polluted frame.

2 In fain would be the rash pretence
To plead a faultless innocence;
When all our nature is unclean,
And soul and body stain'd with sin.

3 But what strong language can express,
Their guild and shame, and wretchedness,
Who boldly dare their God defy,
And with their lusts offend his eye!

4 O wash their souls from this foul sin,
And make their guilty conscience clean;
Great God create their hearts anew
And for their spirits pure and true.

5 Guard us blest Saviour by thy grace,
Nor let temptations gain success;
Preserve the temples which are thine,
That we in holiness may shine.

Source: The Psalms of David: with hymns and spiritual songs: also, the catechism, confession of faith, and liturgy of the Reformed Church in the Netherlands #H41