1. FORGIVE me, O thou jealous God, A wretch, who on thy laws have trod, And robb’d thee of thy right, A sinner to myself unknown, ’Gainst thee I have transgress’d and done, This evil in thy sight.
2. My body I disdain’d to incline Or worship at an idol’s shrine With _gross_ idolatry: But Oh! my soul hath baser prov’d, Honour’d, and fear’d, and serv’d, and lov’d The creature more than thee.
3. Let the blind sons of _Rome_ bow down To images of wood and stone; But I with subtler art, Safe from the letter of thy word, My idols secretly ador’d, Set up within my heart.
4. But Oh! suffice the season past: My idols now away I cast, Pleasure, and wealth and fame, The world, and all its goods I leave, To thee alone resolv’d to give Whate’er I have or am.
5. Lo! in a thankful, loving heart I render thee whate’er thou art, I give myself to thee; And thee my whole delight I own, My joy, my glory, and my crown To all eternity.