English poem
O HIDE ME IN THY LOVE
by John Freeman (1696–1772)
O hide me in Thy love, secure From this earth-clinging meanness. Lave my uncleanness In Thy compassionating love!
Bury this treachery as deep As mercy is enrooted. My days ill-fruited Shake till the shrivelled burden fall.
Put by those righteous arrows, Lord, Put even Thy justice by Thee; So I come nigh Thee As came the Magdalen to Thy feet.
And like a heavy stone that's cast In a pool, on Thee I throw me, And feel o'erflow me Ripples of pity, deep waves of love.