Penitential Prayer

Representative Text

1 With conscious guilt and bleeding heart,
Near to thy throne of grace I fly;
O! Friend of friendless sinners, deign
To hear my penitential cry.

2 Borne down with sin's tremendous load,
I cannot raise my soul to thee;
E'en when I would approach thy throne,
Through unbelief I'm kept away.

3 O! sov'reign, gracious, pow'rful God,
Compel my sins to quit their seat;
And cloth'd with Jesus' finish'd robe,
I'll dare approach my Savior's feet.

4 My first, my only cry shall be,
"Thy sanctifying grace impart,
And form my soul alike to thee,
And dwell forever in my heart."

5 Then, when I quit this vale of tears,
Uncloth'd with flesh my soul shall rise:
Adorn'd with ev'ry shining grace,
Shall reign with God above the skies.

Source: A New Selection of Hymns; designed for the use of conference meetings, private circles, and congregations, as a supplement to Dr. Watts' Psalms and Hymns #8

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Author: Oliver Holden

Holden, Oliver, one of the pioneers of American psalmody, was born in 1765, and was brought up as a carpenter. Subsequently he became a teacher and music-seller. He died at Charlestown, Massachusetts, 1844. His published works are American Harmony, 1793; the Worcester Collection, 1797; and other Tune books. One of his most popular tunes is "Coronation." It is thought that he edited a small hymn-book, published at Boston before 1808, in which are 21 of his hymns with the signature "H." A single copy only of this book is known, and that is without title-page. Of his hymns the following are in common use:— 1. All those who seek a throne of grace. [God present where prayer is offered.] Was given in Peabody's Springfield Collection, 1835… Go to person page >

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