SALVATION IS OF THE LORD
When heaviness of sin lay on my soul,
And my eyes filled with tears that would not flow;
Then down in the lowest valleys, I trod;
Wearisome, fearful, dreary paths.

Like the cry of a night bird, my heart called out,
Yearning and pleading for rest;
But rest fled like a frightened deer,
And sin was too heavy to bear.

Penance! I’ll do penance! And so
Find peace and rest in my soul.
In agony, I’ll wring out my heavy heart;
Sin’s poison shall flow as from a winepress!

Still no peace ---! What must I do?
How long can I bear such a weight?
Perhaps to replace with good thoughts and deeds -
Is this the answer to sin?

Still burdened; heavier still!
Have mercy on me, O God!
What? Humble myself before the cross?
Surely this must be a jest!

Yet, heavier still, is conviction of sin,
And the writhing agony of my feeble soul
Is far surpassed by His torture there;
And His goodness puts my best to shame

With broken heart and humility,
I fall, O Christ, before thy cross!
Complete surrender! But the victory is mine!
The burden of sin is gone!

Tears of Joy now flow like a river -
Peace that passeth understanding is mine -
Now what shall I say of such a marvel?
Salvation is of the LORD!

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