1 My God! permit me not to be
A stranger to myself and thee;
Amidst a thousand thoughts I rove,
Forgetful of my highest love.

2 Why should my passions mix with earth,
And thus debase my heav'nly birth?
Why should I cleave to things below,
And let my God, my Father, go?

3 Call me away from flesh and sense;
Thy gracious word can draw me thence.
I would obey the voice divine,
And all inferior joys resign.

4 Be earth, with all her cares, withdrawn;
Let noise and vanity be gone;
In secret silence of the mind,
My heav'n, and there my God, I find.