We lie down in our shame, and our confusion covereth us: for we have sinned against the Lord our God.
Jeremiah 3:25
Words: William W. Hull, A Collection of Prayers for Household Use (Oxford, England: J. Parker, 1828), page 63, alt.
Music: Gräfenberg Johann Crüger, Praxis Pietatis Melica 1647 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tunes:
If you know where to get a good photo of Hull (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
’Tis all too late,
the sinner cries,
Deluded by his sin,
Nor yet believes His Savior died
A sinful world to win.
Lord! turn us to Thy cross, that so
This dark delusion break;
Thy Spirit work in us to know
Salvation for Thy sake.
There is no mystery in faith,
To know, obey, and love,
The word that marks our earthly path,
And tells of Heaven above.
The mystery’s in sin, whereby
We hide us from Thy face:
And full of self and woe, deny
The richness of Thy grace.
Have mercy, Lord, that we unlearn
This treacherous mystery,
And deeply own the cross, discern
The hope that rests in Thee.