OUT of the depths of doubt and fear,

OUT of the depths of doubt and fear, Depths of despair and grief, I cry; my voice, O Jesus, hear, And come to my relief!

Thy gracious ears, O Saviour, bow To my distressful cries, For who shall stand, O Lord, if Thou Shouldst mark iniquities?

But why do I my soul distress? Forgiveness is with Thee: With Thee there is abundant grace,

Then for the Lord my soul shall wait, And in His word I'll hope; Continue knocking at His gate, Till He the door shall ope.

Not weary guards who watch for morn, And stand with longing eyes, Feel such desires to see the dawn, The joyful dawn arise!

They never feel such warm desires As those which in me move, As those wherewith my soul aspires To see the God of love!

O God of mercy! let me not Then hope for Thee in vain; Nor let me ever be forgot, And in despair remain. John Ryland,