The Psalms of David ‎#II.XX

II.XX. Why is my Heart so far from Thee

1 Why is my Heart so far from Thee,
My God, my chief Delight;
Why are my Thoughts no more by Day
With Thee, no more by Night?

[2 Why should my foolish Passions rove?
Where can such Sweetness be,
As I have tasted in thy Love,
As I have found in Thee?]

3 When my forgetful Soul renews
The Savour of thy Grace,
My Heart presumes I cannot lose
The Relish all my Days.

4 But ee'r one fleeting Hour is past,
The flatt'ring World employs
Some sensual Bait to seize my Taste,
And to pollute my Joys.

[5 Trifles of Nature or of Art,
With fair deceitful Charms,
Intrude into my thoughtless Heart,
And thrust Thee from my Arms.]

6 Then I repent, and vex my Soul,
That I should leave Thee so,
Where will those wild Affections roll
That let a Saviour go?

[7 Sin's promis'd Joys are turn'd to Pain,
And I am drown'd in Grief;
But my dear Lord returns again,
He flies to my Relief.

8 Seizing my Soul with sweet Surprize,
He draws with loving Bands;
Divine Compassion in his Eyes,
And Pardon in his Hands.]

[9 Wretch that I am, to wander thus,
In Chace of false Delight!
Let me be fasten'd to thy Cross,
Rather than lose thy Sight.]

[10 Make Haste, my Days, to reach the Goal,
And bring my Heart to rest,
On the dear Centre of my Soul,
My God, my Saviour's Breast.]

Text Information

• First Line: Why is my Heart so far from Thee
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1766
• Topic: Backslidings and Returns; Inconstancy of our Love; Wandering Affections; Sinning and repenting

Tune Information

(No tune information)