Once perishing in blood I lay

The words

1. 1

   Stanza 1. Once perishing in blood I lay,Creatures no help could give,But Jesus passed me in the way,He saw, and bid me live.

2. 2

   Stanza 2. Though Satan still his rule maintained,And all his arts employed;That mighty Word his rage restrained,I could not be destroyed.

3. 3

   Stanza 3. At length the time of love arrivedWhen I my LORD should know,Then Satan, of his pow’r deprived,Was forced to let me go.

4. 4

   Stanza 4. O can I e’er that day forgetWhen Jesus kindly spoke!“Poor soul, my blood has paid thy debt,And now I break thy yoke.

5. 5

   Stanza 5. Henceforth I take thee for my own,And give myself to thee;Forsake the idols thou hast known,And yield thyself to me.”

6. 6

   Stanza 6. Ah, worthless heart! it promised fair,And said it would be thine;I little thought it e’er would dareAgain with idols join.

7. 7

   Stanza 7. LORD, dost thou such backslidings heal,And pardon all that’s past?Sure, if I am not made of steel,Thou hast prevailed at last.

8. 8

   Stanza 8. My tongue, which rashly spoke before,This mercy will restrain;Surely I now shall boast no more,Nor censure, nor complain.

Olney Hymns (1779), Book 1, Hymn 70. John Newton. Public domain. CCEL transcription with modernized spelling. www.praylock.com/olney-hymns/1-70