O HOW shall a sinner perform The vows he hath vowed to the Lord? A sinful and...

O HOW shall a sinner perform The vows he hath vowed to the Lord? A sinful and impotent worm, How can I be true to my word? I tremble at what I have alone: O send me thy help from above; The power of thy Spirit make known, The virtue of Jesus's love!

My solemn engagements are vain, My promises empty as air; My vows, I shall break them again, And plunge in eternal despair; Unless my omnipotent God The sense of his goodness impart, And shed by his Spirit abroad The love of himself in my heart.

O Lover of sinners, extend To me thy compassionate grace; Appear my affliction to end, Afford me a glimpse of thy face! That light shall enkindle in me A flame of reciprocal love; And then I shall cleave unto thee, And then I shall never remove.

O come to a mourner in pain, Thy peace in my conscience reveal! And then I shall love thee again, And sing of the goodness I feel: Constrained by the grace of my Lord, My soul shall in all things obey, And wait to be fully restored, And long to be summoned away.