Wash me, gracious LORD!
(John MacDuff, "Evening Incense" 1856)
O my GOD, I desire to approach the footstool
of YOUR throne of grace. Glory be to YOUR holy
name that I can enjoy freedom of access into
YOUR presence, and with the confidence
of YOUR child, unburden and unbosom to YOU . . .
all my needs and sins,
all my sorrows and infirmities,
all my perplexities and cares.
LORD, how unworthy I am of
the least of all YOUR mercies!
What righteous cause have YOU to cut
me down as a cumberer of the ground.
How cold my love, how infrequent
my prayers!
How full is my heart, of pride
and vain-glory, self and sin!
How little have I habitually realized
YOUR nearness, and sought YOUR
favor as my chief good!
There is enough of coldness and
formality in my best approaches
to YOUR footstool--
to lead YOU in YOUR wrath
to spurn me forever away!
Let me see all my sin--
in the light of Calvary's cross!
I cast myself as a worthless unworthy
sinner, at the feet of JESUS. I need
daily, hourly washing at that fountain
which HE has opened for sin and
for uncleanness.
Wash me, gracious LORD--
fully, freely, and forever. Let me know
the blessedness of "no condemnation."
I come with all the great burden
of my great guilt--
to my great SAVIOR!
I seek to bring the unrighteousness
of an unworthy creature--
to the infinite righteousness
and everlasting faithfulness
of my loving REDEEMER.
You have borne with all my obstinacy,
all my perverseness, and waywardness,
and ingratitude. I am at this hour,
the monument of a divine love--
as wondrous, as it is undeserved.
All that I am, and all I have--
I owe to YOUR free, sovereign,
unmerited grace!
Whom have I in Heaven but YOU--
and there is none in all the earth
I desire besides YOU. YOU alone can
fill up the aching voids of my heart.
In vain can I look to a transient
world, or to the perishable creature--
for solid peace and permanent
enjoyment. YOU are the only
refuge for my sin-stricken,
woe-worn spirit.
I rejoice in the inexhaustible
riches treasured up in YOU--
that YOUR fullness is adequate
to supply all my necessities; and
out of that fullness I may still continue
receiving, and that forever and ever!
(John MacDuff, "Evening Incense" 1856)
O my GOD, I desire to approach the footstool
of YOUR throne of grace. Glory be to YOUR holy
name that I can enjoy freedom of access into
YOUR presence, and with the confidence
of YOUR child, unburden and unbosom to YOU . . .
all my needs and sins,
all my sorrows and infirmities,
all my perplexities and cares.
LORD, how unworthy I am of
the least of all YOUR mercies!
What righteous cause have YOU to cut
me down as a cumberer of the ground.
How cold my love, how infrequent
my prayers!
How full is my heart, of pride
and vain-glory, self and sin!
How little have I habitually realized
YOUR nearness, and sought YOUR
favor as my chief good!
There is enough of coldness and
formality in my best approaches
to YOUR footstool--
to lead YOU in YOUR wrath
to spurn me forever away!
Let me see all my sin--
in the light of Calvary's cross!
I cast myself as a worthless unworthy
sinner, at the feet of JESUS. I need
daily, hourly washing at that fountain
which HE has opened for sin and
for uncleanness.
Wash me, gracious LORD--
fully, freely, and forever. Let me know
the blessedness of "no condemnation."
I come with all the great burden
of my great guilt--
to my great SAVIOR!
I seek to bring the unrighteousness
of an unworthy creature--
to the infinite righteousness
and everlasting faithfulness
of my loving REDEEMER.
You have borne with all my obstinacy,
all my perverseness, and waywardness,
and ingratitude. I am at this hour,
the monument of a divine love--
as wondrous, as it is undeserved.
Where would I have been,
Blessed JESUS--but for YOU!
All that I am, and all I have--
I owe to YOUR free, sovereign,
unmerited grace!
Whom have I in Heaven but YOU--
and there is none in all the earth
I desire besides YOU. YOU alone can
fill up the aching voids of my heart.
In vain can I look to a transient
world, or to the perishable creature--
for solid peace and permanent
enjoyment. YOU are the only
refuge for my sin-stricken,
woe-worn spirit.
I rejoice in the inexhaustible
riches treasured up in YOU--
that YOUR fullness is adequate
to supply all my necessities; and
out of that fullness I may still continue
receiving, and that forever and ever!
~ ~ ~ ~
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