Why sinks my soul desponding

1 Why sinks my soul desponding
Why fill my eyes with tears?
While nature all surrounding,
The smile of beauty wears.
Why burden'd still with sorrow
Is every labouring thought?
Each vision that I borrow
With gloom and sadness fraught?

2 The pleasures that deceived me,
My soul no more can charm;
Of rest they have bereaved me,
And fill'd me with alarm;
The objects I have cherish'd
Are empty as the wind;
My earthly joys have perish'd,
What comfort shall I find?

3 If inward still inquiring,
I turn my searching eye,
Or upward now aspiring,
I raise my feeble cry,
No heavenly light is beaming
To cheer my troubled breast,
No ray of comfort gleaming
To give my spirit rest.

4 My soul, from this dread anguish
Is there no refuge nigh?
'Tis guilt that makes thee languish,
And leaves thee thus to die:
Renounce thy sin and folly
Before the throne of grace,
And make the Lord, most holy,
Thy strength and righteousness.


Source: The Minstrel of Zion: a book of religious songs, accompanied with appropriate music, chiefly original #179a