Poor, weak, and worthless though I am

The words

1. 1

   Stanza 1. Poor, weak, and worthless though I am,I have a rich almighty friend;Jesus, the Savior, is his name,He freely loves, and without end.

2. 2

   Stanza 2. He ransomed me from hell with blood,And by his pow’r my foes controlled;He found me, wand’ring far from God,And brought me to his chosen fold.

3. 3

   Stanza 3. He cheers my heart, my wants supplies,And says that I shall shortly beEnthroned with him above the skies,O! what a friend is CHRIST to me.

4. 4

   Stanza 4. But ah! I my inmost spirit mourns,And well my eyes with tears may swim,To think of my perverse returns;I’ve been a faithless friend to him.

5. 5

   Stanza 5. Often my gracious Friend I grieve,Neglect, distrust, and disobey,And often Satan’s lies believe,Sooner than all my Friend can say.

6. 6

   Stanza 6. He bids me always freely come,And promises whate’er I ask:But I am straitened, cold and dumb,And count my privilege a task.

7. 7

   Stanza 7. Before the world that hates his course,My treach’rous heart has throbbed with shame;Loth to forego the worlds applause,I hardly dare avow his name.

8. 8

   Stanza 8. Sure were not I most vile and base,I could not thus my friend requite!And were not he the God of grace,He’d frown and spurn me from his sight.

Olney Hymns (1779), Book 1, Hymn 30. John Newton. Public domain. CCEL transcription with modernized spelling. www.praylock.com/olney-hymns/1-30