1 Jesus, let Thy pitying eye
Call back a wandering sheep;
False to Thee, like Peter, I
Would fain, like Peter, weep;
Let me be by grace restored,
On me be all long-suffering shown;
Turn, and look upon me, Lord,
And break my heart of stone.
2 Saviour, Prince, enthrone above,
Repentance to impart,
Give me, through Thy dying love,
The humble, contrite heart;
Speak the reconciling word,
And let Thy mercy melt me down;
Turn, and look upon me, Lord,
And break my heart of stone.
3 For Thine own compassion's sake
The gracious wonder show;
Cast my sins behind Thy back,
And wash me white as snow,
Speak my paradise restored
Redeem me by Thy grace alone;
Turn, and look upon me, Lord,
And break my heart of stone.
4 Look, as when Thy languid eye
Was closed, that we might live;
"Father," at the point to die
My Saviour gasped "forgive!"
Surely, with that dying word,
He turns, and looks, and cries, "'Tis done!"
O my bleeding, loving Lord,
Thou break'st my heart of stone!
Source: Methodist Hymn and Tune Book: official hymn book of the Methodist Church #344
First Line: | Jesus, let Thy pitying eye |
Title: | Praying for Repentance |
Author: | Charles Wesley |
Meter: | 7.6.7.6.7.8.7.6 |
Language: | English |
Refrain First Line: | Turn and look upon me, Lord |
Copyright: | Public Domain |
"Jesus let thy pitying eye" is the original version of this hymn. The version "Dear Jesus, let thy pitying eye" is an American revision which alters the first and third lines of each stanza to 8 syllables (probably to fit it to a specific tune). The earliest that the "Dear Jesus" version appeared seems to be in Asahel Nettleton's Village Hymns. Nettleton may have been the originator of this version, but there is no proof of this.
Information provided by Gerald Montagna