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419

Francis Scott Key, 1817

Verse 1
Lord with glowing heart I’d praise Thee,
For the bliss Thy love bestows,
For the pardoning grace that saves me,
And the peace that from it flows:
Help, O God, my weak endeavor;
This dull soul to rapture raise:
Thou must light the flame, or never
Can my love be warmed to praise.

Verse 2
Praise, my soul, the God that sought me,
Wretched wanderer, far astray;
Found me lost, and kindly brought me
From the paths of death away;
Praise, with love’s devoutest feeling,
Him Who saw my guilt-born fear,
And the light of hope revealing,
Bade the blood-stained cross appear.

Verse 3
Praise my Savior God that drew me
To that cross, new life to give,
Held a blood sealed pardon to me,
Bade me look to Him and live.
Praise the grace whose threats alarmed me,
Roused me from my fatal ease;
Praise the grace whose promise warmed me,
Praise the grace that whispered peace.

Verse 4
Lord, this bosom’s ardent feeling
Vainly would my lips express.
Low before Thy footstool kneeling,
Deign Thy suppliant’s prayer to bless:
Let Thy grace, my soul’s chief treasure,
Love’s pure flame within me raise;
And, since words can never measure,
Let my life show forth Thy praise.

- Tags
  Adoration, The Cross