I lift my hands, and with my heart
My prayer ascends to Thee;
In mercy take a sinner's part;
Lord, send Thy help to me.

Lo, in the mire of sin I lie,
My raiment all defiled;
O come, and set me up on high,
And save Thy fallen child.

I cannot cleanse the filthy stains,--
I can but mourn and sigh;
For all I do, the guilt remains,
I fail oft as I try.

In mercy, Lord, Thy mercy send,
For merciful art Thou;
And prove Thyself the sinner's Friend;--
O, come and help me now,

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And let my life be ordered quite,
As Thou wouldst have it be;
When I am wrong, then set me right;--
Lord, come and succour me.

And hold me up, lest to the mire
Of sin My soul return;
Let Thy pure love my spirit fire,
And base affection burn.