When Peter boasted, soon he fell

The words

1. 1

   Stanza 1. When Peter boasted, soon he fell,Yet was by grace restored;His case should be regarded wellBy all who fear the Lord.

2. 2

   Stanza 2. A voice it has, and helping hand,Backsliders to recall;And cautions those who think they stand,Lest suddenly they fall.

3. 3

   Stanza 3. He said, “Whatever others do,With Jesus I’ll abide;”Yet soon amidst a murd’rous crewHis suff’ring Lord denied.

4. 4

   Stanza 4. He who had been so bold before,Now trembled like a leaf;Not only lied, but cursed and swore,To gain the more belief.

5. 5

   Stanza 5. While he blasphemed he heard the cock,And Jesus looked in love;At once, as if by lightning struck,His tongue forbore to move.

6. 6

   Stanza 6. Delivered thus from Satan’s snareHe starts, as from a sleep;His Savior’s look he could not bear,But hasted forth to weep.

7. 7

   Stanza 7. But sure the faithful cock had crowedA hundred times in vain;Had not the Lord that look bestowed,The meaning to explain.

8. 8

   Stanza 8. As I, like Peter, vows have made,Yet acted Peter’s part;So conscience, like the cock, upbraidsMy base, ungrateful heart.

9. 9

   Stanza 9. Lord Jesus, hear a sinner’s cry,My broken peace renew;And grant one pitying look, that IMay weep with Peter too.

Olney Hymns (1779), Book 1, Hymn 91. John Newton. Public domain. CCEL transcription with modernized spelling. www.praylock.com/olney-hymns/1-91