In mercy, not in wrath, rebuke <br />Thy feeble worm, my God! <br />My spirit dreads thine angry look, <br />And trembles at thy rod. <br /> <br />Have mercy, Lord, for I am weak, <br />Regard my heavy groans; <br />O let thy voice of comfort speak, <br />And heal my broken bones! <br /> <br />By day my busy beating head <br />Is filled with anxious fears; <br />By night, upon my restless bed, <br />I weep a flood of tears. <br /> <br />Thus I sit desolate and mourn, <br />Mine eyes grow dull with grief; <br />How long, my Lord, ere thou return, <br />And bring my soul relief? <br /> <br />O come and show thy pow'r to save, <br />And spare my fainting breath; <br />For who can praise thee in the grave, <br />Or sing thy name in death? <br /> <br />Satan, my cruel envious foe, <br />Insults me in my pain; <br />He smiles to see me brought so low, <br />And tells me hope is vain, <br /> <br />But hence, thou enemy, depart! <br />Nor tempt me to despair; <br />My Saviour comes to cheer my heart, <br />The Lord has heard my prayer.<br /><br />John Newton<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/pleading-for-mercy/
