Poems (Hale)/God nigh to the Penitent
GOD NIGH TO THE PENITENT.
"The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, and sayeth such as be of a contrite spirit." Psalm xxxiv. 18.
Nigh, in that hour of secret grief,
When anguish bows the head,
To whisper pardon and relief,
And healing oil to shed.
When anguish bows the head,
To whisper pardon and relief,
And healing oil to shed.
Nigh in the covenant of his love,
Traced on the sacred page,
Which points us to our home above,—
Our heavenly heritage.
Traced on the sacred page,
Which points us to our home above,—
Our heavenly heritage.
A broken heart!—its low-breathed sighs,
Its scarcely uttered prayer,
Shall to a Father's ear arise,
And meet with mercy there.
Its scarcely uttered prayer,
Shall to a Father's ear arise,
And meet with mercy there.
And though full oft our wandering feet
Guilt's thorn-strowed path have trod,
Jesus the countrite heart shall meet,
And turn it to its God.
Guilt's thorn-strowed path have trod,
Jesus the countrite heart shall meet,
And turn it to its God.
New glory from His throne of light
Shall beam its cheering ray;
For oft the deepest shade of night
Heralds the brightest day.
Shall beam its cheering ray;
For oft the deepest shade of night
Heralds the brightest day.