From Out the Depths.
The night is closing fast around me, Lord,
The shades of darkness gather, swift and gray,
My aching eyes can scarcely pierce the gloom,
And my weak, faltering feet have lost the way,
O come to me in Sorrow’s dreary night
And lead me from the darkness into light.
There was a time when I was well content
To walk within the paths appointed me,
But listening to my heart’s rebellious voice
I wandered, step by step, afar from Thee.
Night cometh fast, and swiftly fades the day;
Father have pity, I have lost my way.
When, hand in hand, I walked with Thee, dear Lord,
Thy strength upheld me in my darkest hour,
But now my burden bends me to the earth—
I miss the aid of Thy sustaining power.
Lord, turn from me the vengeance of Thy wrath
And lead my faltering steps along the path.
My sin is this, O Lord, I tried to solve
Those problems that are known to none but Thee.
Bewildered and perplexed, I vainly strove
To find an answer to Life’s mystery.
Thus, step by step, the dangerous path I trod
Till like the fool, I said: “There is no God.”
Lord, I confess with tears, my sin is great,
But, penitent and humbled in the dust,
I ask Thy pardon for my waywardness;
Have pity on me, Lord, in Thee I trust,
Hear Thou my cry of penitence and grief:
“Lord! I believe, help Thou my unbelief.”
