Reading the Scriptures

1 Great God, oppress'd with grief and fear,
I take thy book and hope to find
Some gracious word of promise there,
To sooth the sorrows of my mind:

2 I turn the sacred volume o'er,
And search with care from page to page:
Of threatnings find an ample store,
But nought that can my grief assuage,

3 And is there nought? forbid dear Lord,
So base a thought should e'er arise;
I'll search again, and while I search,
O may the scales fall off mine eyes!

4 'Tis done: and with transporting joys,
I read the heaven-inspired lines;
There mercy spreads its brightest beams,
And truth with dazzling lustre shines.

5 Here's heavenly food for hungry souls,
And mines of gold to enrich the poor;
Here's healing balm for every wound,
A salve for every festering sore.

Source: A Selection of Hymns: from the best authors, intended to be an appendix to Dr. Watt's psalms and hymns. (1st Am. ed.) #CCCXXX