My heart was sad because of sin,

And lo, the night came down,

And dark without, and dark within

I shrank before Thy frown;

Now pity, Lord, my woeful state,

And save me in Thy mercy great.

I lift mine eyes to where the Christ

My awful burden bore,

And see the offering that sufficed,--

His stripes and anguish sore;

The riven side, the thorny crown,

The wounds from which His blood flowed down.

O Love no loving heart e'er gave!

Like light from heaven it flows;

And now for Him Who died to save,

My love responsive glows;

And joy resounds my heart within,

That once was sad because of sin.