O the Wretched, Wretched State

Verse 1

O the wretched, wretched state, Of the one who waits too late, Hasting not to make his own election sure! But in ign'rance doth defy, Heavens holy warning cry Until suddenly grim death rides to his door.

Chorus

Sinner, will you not prepare. While the Saviour answers pray'r, And while mercy yet repentance grants to men, O accept His proffer'd grace. Seeking now His loving face, And believing in His word be born again.

Verse 2

O the bitter, bitter wail, When the faithless pray'r shall fail And the heavens shall but dark and frowning be; When before the soul shall lie, But hells blist'ring desert dry And a Godless, hopeless, bleak eternity.

Verse 3

'Twill be sadder still to know, That this need not have been so, Since the Saviour died the sinner to redeem, And each soul was born an heir To eternal mansion's fair Simply by the trusting of the life with Him.

Verse 4

Sad, the more the Spirit plead, That so many will not heed, But in madness choose the sinner's life and way, Rushing on to endless death. Mocking at the life of faith, Till at last in horror comes his dying day.

Verse 5

O the horror of his fate! O the woe of such a state! What an awful thing to see a sinner die! May our gracious, loving God, Save you sinner, by His blood, Save you sweetly ere the day of doom draws nigh.