19 7.6.7.6.7.7.6
1 O Jesus, look what I am!
A carcass on the road.
Since you died for me, a lamb,
My heart’s task is the load
That I might give it to you,
But the sorrow fills me too
That my heart may not bend.
2 I’ve struggled, I have indeed,
But fallen still I stay:
Not obedient to heed
With unchanged heart each day.
Listen to my word of prayer:
Although repentance I bear
Is poor and deficient.
3 Your great zeal on behalf of
My hoped for salvation
And your great diligence, Love,
Caring for my station,
Awaken hope that you might
Draw me into rest and light
Of your obedience.
4 I have no love at all, Love,
No faith at all at best,
My steps do not tend above,
My soul is not at rest,
I have no mind that’s willing,
No guarantee from spilling,
Nor strength, nor light, nor nest.
5 O Jesus, I do you wrong
To blame you for my fault.
You would grant me mercy long,
If I’d just bend and halt.
But you are so prevented
By my soul unrelented
From your great gift of grace.
6 O my Jesus, that is why
I beg to be just clay
In your hands and by and by
To bend under your sway.
Print your image on my soul,
And bend my will to your goal,
And end my sinful grief.
7 Many defects of my soul
Weigh upon me truly,
Conscience on me takes its toll,
Always pricks unduly.
Others have their help from you,
When anguish comes into view.
Ah, help me, help me too.
8 Give me dwelling in your Word,
And grant it, Lord, to me,
Give me strength in a heart stirred
That’s now in poverty.
From the many chains of sin
And the awful things I’m in
By your hand come save me.
9 O Lord, see in my living
Stupidity of mine,
Be to me bread you’re giving,
Nurture my spirit’s vine.
You know I’m a beginner,
Poor and deficient sinner,
In everything I do.
10 O God of earth and heaven,
You the all-seeing One,
Surely after I’ve striven,
You’ll not cast out when done.
So my refuge come to be,
Turn and return, Lord, to me,
And so turn me also.