Sweet was the time when first I felt

The words

1. 1

   Stanza 1. Sweet was the time when first I feltThe Savior’s pard’ning bloodApplied, to cleanse my soul from guilt,And bring me home to God.

2. 2

   Stanza 2. Soon as the morn the light revealed,His praises tuned my tongue;And when the evening shades prevailed,His love was all my song.

3. 3

   Stanza 3. In vain the tempter spread his wiles,The world no more could charm;I lived upon my Savior’s smiles,And leaned upon his arm.

4. 4

   Stanza 4. In prayer my soul drew near the Lord,And saw his glory shine;And when I read his holy word,I called each promise mine.

5. 5

   Stanza 5. Then to his saints I often spoke;Of what his love had done;But now my heart is almost broke,For all my joys are gone.

6. 6

   Stanza 6. Now when the evening shade prevails,My soul in darkness mourns,And when the morn the light reveals,No light to me returns.

7. 7

   Stanza 7. My prayers are now a chatt’ring noise,For Jesus hides his face;I read, the promise meets my eyes,But will not reach my case.

8. 8

   Stanza 8. Now Satan threatens to prevail,And make my soul his prey;Yet, Lord, thy mercies cannot fail,O come without delay.

Olney Hymns (1779), Book 1, Hymn 43. John Newton. Public domain. CCEL transcription with modernized spelling. www.praylock.com/olney-hymns/1-43