Once perishing in blood I lay

Humbled and silenced by mercy by John Newton


 * Once perishing in blood I lay,
 * Creatures no help could give,
 * But Jesus passed me in the way,
 * He saw, and bid me live.


 * Though Satan still his rule maintained,
 * And all his arts employed;
 * That mighty Word his rage restrained,
 * I could not be destroyed.


 * At length the time of love arrived
 * When I my LORD should know,
 * Then Satan, of his pow'r deprived,
 * Was forced to let me go.


 * O can I e'er that day forget
 * When Jesus kindly spoke!
 * "Poor soul, my blood has paid thy debt,
 * And now I break thy yoke.


 * Henceforth I take thee for my own,
 * And give myself to thee;
 * Forsake the idols thou hast known,
 * And yield thyself to me."


 * Ah, worthless heart! it promised fair,
 * And said it would be thine;
 * I little thought it e'er would dare
 * Again with idols join.


 * LORD, dost thou such backslidings heal,
 * And pardon all that's past?
 * Sure, if I am not made of steel,
 * Thou hast prevailed at last.


 * My tongue, which rashly spoke before,
 * This mercy will restrain;
 * Surely I now shall boast no more,
 * Nor censure, nor complain.