A Pocket hymn-book, designed as a constant companion for the pious ‎#CCXXXIX

CCXXXIX. Long have I seem'd to serve thee, Lord

1 Long have I seem'd to serve thee, Lord,
With unavailing pain;
Fasted, and pray'd, and read thy word,
And heard it preach'd in vain.

2 Oft did I with th’ assembly join,
And near thy altar drew,
A form of godliness was mine,
The pow'r I never knew.

3 I rested in the outward law,
Nor knew its deep design;
The length and breadth I never saw,
The heighth of love divine.

4 To please thee thus, at length I see,
Vainly I hop'd and strove:
For what are outward things to thee,
Unless they spring from love?

5 I see the perfect law requires
Truth in the inward parts;
Our full consent, our whole desires,
Our undivided hearts.

6 But I of means have made my boast,
Of means an idol made!
The spirit in the letter lost,
The substance in the shade!

7 Where am I now, or what my hope?
What can my weakness do?
Jesu, to thee my soul looks up:
’Tis thou must make it new.

Text Information

• First Line: Long have I seem'd to serve thee, Lord
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1790
• Topic: Describing Formal Religion
• Notes: Tune: WENVE

Tune Information

(No tune information)