Though tribulation looms, I hasten on,
For good lies at the end, so I contend
Through dark of night to meet the coming dawn.
Yet here I lie, and how can I pretend
In my great feebleness that I can press
Toward anything, since I’ve no strength to spend?
O Lord, do Thou increase as I grow less,
For waters round me rise, my courage flies,
But Thou, my God, didst rescue from distress
Thy people Israel and hear their cries,
Didst lead them through the sea, so rescue me
And bring me out. On Thee my heart relies!
I feel the straits of my captivity.
This place has no more room, is plunged in gloom.
My eyes: didst Thou not make them, Lord, to see
The light of life and not the dark of doom?
The walls are closing in and I begin
To feel a blessed ending start to loom.
But God, what pains assault my flesh and pin
My arms and legs down tight! I feel Thy might
And beg Thee, Lord, to blot out all my sin,
For I am in the wrong and Thou art right.
Yet hear me in the name of Him who came
To bear my sin and help me in my plight.
For Jesus’ sake crush not my feeble frame!
Another pang! But no! This heavy blow
Is not Thy wrath, but by it Thou dost aim
To do me good, and therefore, even though
The trial does not cease, yet I have peace,
For Thou didst make my sins as white as snow
And in Thy Son accomplished my release
From every evil thing; thus I will cling
To Thee in faith. Oh, grant that it increase
In this, my time of heavy laboring!
Because Thou, Lord, art near I have no fear
And with thanksgiving take what Thou dost bring.
O God, it hurts! But I to Thee am dear
And I can sense that Thou art acting now,
So Lord, have mercy! Make me to appear
Before Thee, that before Thee I may bow
And render to Thee praise. For length of days
I’ll tell of all Thy wondrous works and how
Thou’st brought an end to all my griefs and raised
My life up from the pit. Oh, this is it!
The time has come. Christ, guard me in my ways!
Remind me of Thy Passion in my fit!
Jesus, my prayer attend, my prayer attend!
Remember that my life to Thee is knit.
Into Thy hands my spirit I commend.
From out the dark of night I see a light!
One final push! At last! I’ve reached the end
And rest me in Thine arms, enrobed in white.
My Savior, I am Thine and Thou art mine,
And naught shall sunder what Thou dost unite.
