The Repenting Prodigal

Verse 1

Lo! what a rapturous joy possest The tender parent's throbbing breast, To see his spendthrift son return, And hear him his past follies mourn.

Verse 2

Thus our bless'd Saviour wont despise The contrite heart for sacrifice; The deep-fetch'd sigh, the secret groan, Rises accepted to his throne.

Verse 3

He meets, with tokens of his grace The trembling lip, the blushing face; His bowels yearn when sinners pray, And mercy bears their sins away.

Verse 4

When fill'd with grief, o'erwhelm'd with shame, He, pitying, heals their broken frame; He hears their sad complaints, and spies His image in their weeping eyes.