Hymns

I Asked the Lord

Words: John Newton · Music: Folk Songs from Somerset, Series 3, 1906, Dan Kreider · 1774

Verse 1
I asked the Lord that I might grow
in faith, and love, and ev'ry grace;
might more of his salvation know,
and seek more earnestly his face.

Verse 2
'Twas he who taught me thus to pray;
and he, I trust, has answered prayer:
but it has been in such a way
as almost drove me to despair.

Verse 3
I hoped that in some favored hour,
at once he'd grant me my request;
and, by his love's constraining pow'r,
subdue my sins, and give me rest.

Verse 4
Instead of this, he made me feel
the hidden evils of my heart
and let the angry pow'rs of hell
assault my soul in ev'ry part.

Verse 5
Yea more, with his own hand he seemed
intent to aggravate my woe,
crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
humbled my pride, and laid me low.

Verse 6
"Lord, why is this?" I trembling cried;
"Wilt thou pursue my soul to death?"
"'Tis in this way," the Lord replied,
"I answer prayer for grace and faith."

Verse 7
"These inward trials I employ,
from self and sin to set thee free,
to break thy schemes of worldly joy,
that thou may'st see thy all in me."

Words: John Newton, 1774 | Music: Folk Songs from Somerset, Series 3, 1906; harm. Dan Kreider, 2016

Psalm 51; Isaiah 66; Luke 11; Romans 7; Romans 8; 1 Corinthians 1; 1 Corinthians 10; Galatians 5; Philippians 4; 1 Thessalonians 5; 1 John 1

Anxiety/Fear · Assurance · Sanctification · Suffering