1 Lord, how secure my conscience was, And felt no inward dread! I was alive without the law, And thought my sins were dead.
2 My hopes of heaven were firm and bright, But since the precept came With a convincing power and light, I find how vile I am.
3 [My guilt appear'd but small before, Till terribly I saw How perfect, holy, just, and pure, Was thine eternal law.
4 Then felt my soul the heavy load, My sins reviv'd again, I had provok'd a dreadful God, And all my hopes were slain.]
5 I'm like a helpless captive sold Under the power of sin; I cannot do the good I would, Nor keep my conscience clean.
6 My God, I cry with every breath For some kind power to save, To break the yoke of sin and death, And thus redeem the slave.