The Penitent's Plea

Verse 1

Jesus, heed me, lost and dying, Unto thee for shelter flying, Hear, oh, hear, my heart's sore crying: Heed me, or I die!

Verse 2

All my sin and sorrow feeling, Come I, as the leper, kneeling; Come to thee for help and healing, Heal me, or I die!

Verse 3

Naught have I to plead of merit, Naught but curse do I inherit; By thy gracious, quickening Spirit Save me, or I die!

Verse 4

Not my tears of deep contrition Can secure one sin's remission, Helpless, hopeless my condition: Help me, or I die!

Verse 5

Far away my dead works flinging, Nothing owning, nothing bringing, Only to thy mercy clinging: Bless me, or I die!

Verse 6

By thy cross, where hope is beaming, By its crimson fountain streaming, Flowing for the world's redeeming: Cleanse me, or I die!

Verse 7

So my soul shall praise thee ever, For the love which changes never, From which not ev'n death can sever: Saved no more to die.