Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Matthew 26:41
Words: Anne Steele, Poems on Subjects Chiefly Devotional 1760, pages 79–80.
Music: Ballerma François H. Barthélémon (1741–1808), adapted by Robert Simpson in A Selection of Original Sacred Music, 1833 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tune:
If you know where to get a good picture of Steele (head-and-shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels), or a better one of Barthélémon, would you ?
Alas, what hourly dangers rise!
What snares beset my way!
To Heav’n O let me lift my eyes,
And hourly watch and pray.
How oft my mournful thoughts complain,
And melt in flowing tears!
My weak resistance, ah, how vain!
How strong my foes and fears!
My gracious God, in whom I live,
My feeble efforts aid,
Help me to watch, and pray, and strive,
Though trembling and afraid.
Increase my faith, increase my hope,
When foes and fears prevail;
And bear my fainting spirit up;
Or soon my strength will fail.
Whene’er temptations fright my heart,
Or lure my feet aside,
My God, Thy powerful aid impart,
My guardian and my guide.
O keep me in Thy heav’nly way,
And bid the tempter flee,
And let me never, never stray
From happiness and Thee.