How David, when by sin deceived

The words

1. 1

   Stanza 1. How David, when by sin deceived,From bad to worse went on!For when the Holy Spirit’s grieved,Our strength and guard are gone.

2. 2

   Stanza 2. His eye on Bathsheba once fixed,With poison filled his soul;He ventured on adult’ry next,And murder crowned the whole.

3. 3

   Stanza 3. So from a spark of fire at first,That has not been descried;A dreadful flame has often burst,And ravaged far and wide.

4. 4

   Stanza 4. When sin deceives it hardens too,For though he vainly foughtTo hide his crimes from public view,Of God he little thought.

5. 5

   Stanza 5. He neither would, or could repent,No true compunction felt;’Till God in mercy Nathan sent,His stubborn heart to melt.

6. 6

   Stanza 6. The parable held forth a fact,Designed his case to show;But though the picture was exact,Himself he did not know.

7. 7

   Stanza 7. “Thou art the man,” the prophet said,That word his slumber broke;And when he owned his sin, and prayed,The LORD forgiveness spoke.

8. 8

   Stanza 8. Let those who think they stand beware,For David stood before;Nor let the fallen soul despair,For mercy can restore.

Olney Hymns (1779), Book 1, Hymn 29. John Newton. Public domain. CCEL transcription with modernized spelling. www.praylock.com/olney-hymns/1-29