Lord, with glowing heart I’d praise Thee

June 8

Lord, with glowing heart I’d praise Thee
For the bliss Thy love bestows,
For the pardoning grace that saves me,
And the peace that from it flows.
Help, O God, my weak endeavor;
This dull soul to rapture raise;
Thou must light the flame, or never
Can my love be warmed to praise.

Praise, my soul, the God that sought thee,
Wretched, wanderer, far astray;
Found thee lost, and kindly brought thee
From the paths of death away.
Praise, with love’s devoutest feeling,
Him Who saw thy guilt born fear,
And, the light of hope revealing,
Bade the bloodstained Cross appear.

Lord, this bosom’s ardent feeling
Vainly would my lips express;
Low before Thy footstool kneeling,
Deign Thy suppliant’s prayer to bless.
Let Thy grace, my soul’s chief treasure,
Love’s pure flame within me raise;
And, since words can never measure,
Let my life show forth Thy praise.
     Francis Scott Key