To thee, O sov'reign father, I appeal

Verse 1

To thee, O sov'reign father, I appeal; To thee the secrets of my soul reveal, My faithful soul, that, firm in innocence, Makes thee her surest hope, her strong defence,

Verse 2

O try thy servant, scrutinize his heart; Prove him, and judge according to desert,

Verse 3

With grateful eyes thy mercies all I view, With careful steps the road to truth pursue;

Verse 4

The fraudful tongue, that ruins with a lie, The idly vain, that love not thee, I fly;

Verse 5

The converse of ungodly men I hate, Nor 'mid the wicked e'er will fix my feat.

Verse 6

With hands unstain'd I'll at thy altar bow, There pay the adoration that I owe;

Verse 7

In thankful hymns I'll there employ my voice, And in the wonders of my God rejoice:

Verse 8

I love the temple, where thy name's ador'd; Much do I love thy hallow'd dome, O Lord.

Verse 9

Then suffer not my soul, to shades below, With bloody, with deceitful men, to go;

Verse 10

With men, whose hands in mischiefs are involv'd, Whose hearts for gain the blackest crimes resolv'd.

Verse 11

No; my sincerity be still my guard, With thy redemption my firm soul reward;

Verse 12

Firm that me Hands, I owe, my God, to thee: Thy name be prais'd thro' all eternity.