How Wretched Was Our Former State

How wretched was our former state,
when, slaves to Satan’s sway,
With hearts disordered and impure,
o’erwhelmed in sin we lay!

But, O my soul! for ever praise,
for ever love his name,
Who turned thee from the fatal paths
of folly, sin, and shame.

Vain and presumptuous is the trust
which in our works we place,
Salvation from a higher source
flows to the human race.

’Tis from the mercy of our God
that all our hopes begin;
His mercy saved our souls from death,
and washed our souls from sin.

His Spirit, through the Saviour shed,
its sacred fire imparts,
Refines our dross, and Love divine
rekindles in our hearts.

Thence raised from death, we live anew;
and, justified by grace,
We hope in glory to appear,
and see our Father’s face.

Let all who hold this faith and hope
in holy deeds abound;
Thus faith approves itself sincere,
by active virtue crowned.

Scottish Psalms and Paraphrases