Lord Jesu Christ, my Highest Good, Thou Fountain of all grace, Behold how heavy is my mood, As I my past retrace, How sore my conscience is beset With keenest arrows of regret, That never cease to pierce me. | 150 Alas! when I remember all The life I once held dear, A stone upon my heart doth fall, And I must quail for fear, I know not where to take my flight; Ah Lord! I must despair outright, But for Thy word of mercy. | But when I hear it sweetly sing Of peace for evermore, My heart almost begins to spring, And laughs in me once more, To know how merciful Thou art To all who, with a contrite heart, Will come to Thee, O Jesus! | So I, too, dare to come to Thee, And at Thy feet I lay My burden, while with bended knee And earnest heart I pray, Forgive me, heal my conscience' strife, For all the sins of all my life Forgive, dear Lord, forgive me! | Yea, O my God, forgive me now For Thy Name's blessed sake; The heavy yoke 'neath which I bow Do Thou in mercy break. So shall my heart have peace at last, And to Thy praise my years be passed In childlike, glad obedience. | 151 Thy joyful Spirit give me strength, Thy wounds my healing be, When my last hour must come at length, Wash Thou my soul for me; And take me when it seems Thee best, In the true faith to heavenly rest For ever, Lord, with Thee. Amen. | |