Because I would forget, dear Lord,
Those things which are behind,
The sins and fears, the griefs and greeds,
The thoughts untoward, unkind,
I would before my wandering eyes
Thy laws as frontlets bind.
Then would I bide, nor fear the ills
Which evil's cohorts plot;
While in my heart Thy words are shrined,
No soil of sin shall blot
Or mar the tablet of my soul,
The doorposts of my thought.
With words I sought to worship Thee,
But Thou couldst not condone
My faults, though oftentimes confessed,
So vain are words alone;
Deeds must declare Thy guidance, Lord,
Else pardon is not won.
But as the stars make glad the skies,
With lucent seas of light,
Whose rays illimitable, still,
Dissolve the shades of night,
So Thou, through tanglements of sense,
Hast opened pathways bright.
So near Thy presence seemeth, Lord,
Methinks I hear Thee say:
No need, my child, hast thou to fear,
Though mists obscure the way;
My precepts housing in thine heart,
Shall every evil stay;
For I have given angels charge
To guard thee tenderly;
And sweet behests as beacon lights,
Have traced, that thou mayest see
The narrow way, the gladsome way,
That leadeth unto Me.
