PRAYER OUT OF THE DEPTHS.
ALL in weakness, all in sorrow,
O my God! I come once more,
Lifting up the sad petition
Thou hast often heard before,
In the former days of darkness,
In the time of need of yore. For a present help in trouble
Thou hast never ceased to be,
Since at first an humble sinner
Fell before thee trustingly;
And thy voice is ever sounding,—
"Oh, ye weary, come to me." Then I fear not to approach thee
With my sorrow and my care;
Hear my mourning supplication.
Cast not out my humble prayer,
Lay not on a greater burden
Than thy feeble child can bear. O my Lord! rebuke the tempter,
Let not unbelief prevail;
Pray for me, thy feeble servant,
That my weak faith may not fail,
Nor my soul let go her anchor
When the waves and storms assail. O Redeemer! shall one perish
Who has looked to thee for aid?
Let me see thee, let me hear thee,
Through the gloomy midnight shade;
Let me hear thy voice of comfort,—
"It is I! be not afraid." For when feeling thou art near me,
All my loneliness is o'er,
And the tempter's dark suggestions
Can oppress my soul no more;
I shall dread the path no longer
When thyself hast gone before. And though lights of earth are fading,
I can gaze on tearlessly,
When the glory that excelleth,
When the light of life I see;
Whom beside in earth or heaven
Should my heart desire but thee?—Sel.