Author: Charles Wesley Meter: 8.8.8.8.8.8 Appears in 2 hymnals First Line: O Thou, who know’st what is in man Lyrics: 1 O Thou, who know’st what is in man,
Who searchest out the reins and heart,
Me, Jesu, to myself explain,
A ray of heavenly light impart;
Impart Thyself, Thou real light,
And manifest my nature’s night.
2 Cause me, O God, myself to know,
The depth of wickedness within,
Show me, my inmost substance show,
Th’exceeding sinfulness of sin:
Such power belongs to Thee alone;
Show me that sin and I are one.
3 Senseless alike of sin and Thee,
My unawakened soul remains
Fast bound in sin, and misery;
I slumber on, nor feel my chains,
Nor taste nor see how good Thou art,
For still the veil is on my heart.
4 Oh! Might my heart at last relent,
And feel the guilty mountain-load.
Oh! That Thy powerful Word might rent
The veil, and let me into God;
The glories of Thy face display,
The brightness of eternal day!
5 I know the terms: I cannot see
Thy blissful face, and live—in sin:
A flaming sword preserves the tree
Of life, lest self should enter in;
It keeps out self, and every way
It turns, the man of sin to slay.
6 Be it according to Thy Word,
Ready to meet my doom I am.
Oh! Let me rush upon that sword,
And feel the sin-consuming flame;
Live only Christ in me, not I;
O let me see Thy face and die!
7 Die all of self to live no more,
Die the old man no more to rise;
Me to Thine image here restore,
Receive me to Thy paradise,
(Whence I may never more remove)
The paradise of perfect love.
Used With Tune: ADORO TE Text Sources: Hymns and Sacred Poems (Bristol, England: Felix Farley, printer, 1742)
O Thou,Who Know'st What Is In Man
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