English poem
Searching and trying our Ways. Lament. iii. 40
by Philip Doddridge (1773–1832)
Thy piercing Eye, O GOD, surveys The various Windings of our Ways; Teach us their Tendency to know, And judge the Paths in which we go.
How wild, how crooked have they been! A Maze of Foolishness and Sin! With all the Light we vainly boast, Leaving our Guide, our Souls are lost.
Had not thy Mercy been our Aid So fatally our Feet had stray'd, Stern Justice had its Pris'ners led Down to the Chambers of the Dead.
O turn us back to Thee again, Or we shall search our Ways in vain; Shine, and the Path of Life reveal, And bear us on to Zion's Hill.
Roll on, ye swift-revolving Years, And end this Round of Sins and Cares No more a Wand'rer would I roam, But near my Father fix at Home.
More by Philip Doddridge
- Room at the Gospel-Feast. Luke xiv. 22
- Salvation by Grace. Eph. ii. 5
- Satan and Death conquered by the Death of CHRIST. Heb. ii. 14, 15
- Satan's Strong-Holds cast down by the Gospel. 2 Cor. x. 4, 5
- Secret Prayer. Matthew vi. 6
- Seeking first the Kingdom of GOD, &c. Matthew vi. 33
- Seeking to GOD for the Communication of his Spirit. Ezek. xxxvi. 37
- Simeon's Song and Declaration to the Virgin Mary. Luke ii. 30-35