VILE, and deformed by sin I stand, A creature earthy of the earth; Yet fashioned by God's perfect hand, And in his likeness at my birth. Here in a wretched land I roam, As one who had no home but this; Yet am invited to become Partaker in a world of bliss. A tenement of misery, Of clay is this to which I cling: A royal palace waits for me, Built by the pleasure of my King! My heavenly birthright I forsake, -- An outcast, and unreconciled; The manner of his love doth make My Father own me as his child. Shortened by reason of man's wrong, My evil days I here bemoan; Yet know my life must last as long As his, who struck it from his own. Turned wholly am I from the way, -- Lost, and eternally undone; I am of those, though gone astray, The Father seeketh through the Son. I wander in a maze of fear, Hid in impenetrable night, Afar from God -- and yet so near, He keeps me always in his sight. I am as dross, and less than dross, Worthless as worthlessness can be; I am so precious that the cross Darkened the universe for me! I am unfit, even from the dust, Master! to kiss thy garment's hem: I am so dear, that thou, though just, Wilt not despise me nor condemn. Accounted am I as the least Of creatures valueless and mean; Yet heaven's own joy shall be increased If e'er repentance wash me clean. Naked, ashamed, I hide my face, All seamed by guilt's defacing scars; I may be clothed with righteousness Above the brightness of the stars. Lord, I do fear that I shall go Where death and darkness wait for me; Lord, I believe, and therefore know I have eternal life in thee! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...VERSES OCCASIONED BY THE SUDDEN DRYING UP..ST.PATRICK'S WELL by JONATHAN SWIFT A ROCKING HYMN by GEORGE WITHER THE NONSENSE SAW OF A SAW-GIRL I SAW IN ARKANSAW by FRED W. ALLSOPP FOR A RETURN by A. A. ANDRIELLO CONFESSIONS by ROBERT BROWNING JOCHANAN HAKKADOSH: NOTE by ROBERT BROWNING |