67.
Jehovah our Righteousness. Jer. xxiii, 6. C.
1 MY God, how perfect are thy ways !
But mine polluted are ;
Sin twines itself about my praise,
And slides into my prayer.
2 When I would speak what thou hast done
To save me from my sin,
I cannot make thy mercies known
But self-applause creeps in.
3 Divine desire, that holy flame,
Thy grace creates in me ;
Alas ! impatience is its name
When it returns to thee.
4 This heart, a fountain of vile thoughts,
How does it overflow !
While self upon the surface floats,
Still bubbling from below.
5 Let others in the gaudy dress
Of fancied merits shine,
The Lord shall be my righteousness,
The Lord for ever mine.
68.
Ephrain Repenting.—Jer. xxxi, 18-20. C.
1 MY God, till I received thy stroke,
How like a beast was I !
So unaccustom d to the yoke,
So backward to comply.
2 With grief my just reproach I bear,
Shame fills me at the thought ;
How frequent my rebellions were !
What wickedness I wrought !
3 Thy merciful restraint I scorn d,
And left the pleasant road ;
Yet turn me, and I shall be turn d:
Thou art the Lord my God.
