Nay, I cannot let Thee go

The words

1. 1

   Stanza 1. Nay, I cannot let Thee go,Till a blessing thou bestow;Do not turn away thy face,Mine’s an urgent pressing case.

2. 2

   Stanza 2. Dost thou ask me, who I am?Ah, my LORD, thou know’st my name!Yet the question gives a plea,To support my suit with thee.

3. 3

   Stanza 3. Thou didst once a wretch behold,In rebellion blindly bold;Scorn thy grace, thy pow’r defy,That poor rebel, Lord, was I.

4. 4

   Stanza 4. Once a sinner near despair,Sought thy mercy–seat by prayer;Mercy heard and set him free,Lord, that mercy came to me,

5. 5

   Stanza 5. Many years have passed since then,Many changes I have seen;Yet have been upheld till now,Who could hold me up but thou?

6. 6

   Stanza 6. Thou hast helped in every need,This emboldens me to plead;After so much mercy past,Canst thou let me sink at last?

7. 7

   Stanza 7. No—I must maintain my hold,’Tis thy goodness makes me bold;I can no denial take,When I plead for Jesu’s sake.

Olney Hymns (1779), Book 1, Hymn 10. John Newton. Public domain. CCEL transcription with modernized spelling. www.praylock.com/olney-hymns/1-10