HOW long wilt thou forget me, Lord? Wilt thou for ever hide thy face? Leave me...

HOW long wilt thou forget me, Lord? Wilt thou for ever hide thy face? Leave me unchanged, and unrestored, An alien from the life of grace?

How long shall l inquire within, And seek thee in my heart, in vain, Vexed with the dire remains of sin, Galled with the tyrant's iron chain?

How long shall Satan's rage prevail? (I ask thee with a faltering tongue) See at thy feet my spirit fail, And hear me feebly groan, " How long?"

Ah! suffer not my foe to boast His victory o'er a child of thine; Nor let the proud Philistines' host In Satan's hellish triumph join.

Will they not charge my fall on thee? Will they not dare my God to blame? My God, forbid the blasphemy, Be jealous for thy glorious name!

My trust is in thy gracious power, I glory in salvation near; Rejoice in hope of that glad hour When perfect love shall cast out fear.

I sing the goodness of the Lord, The goodness I experience now; And still I hang upon thy word, My Saviour to the utmost thou!