Oh, once I had a glor'ous view
Of my redeeming Lord,
He said, "I'll be a God to you,"
And I believed His word.
But now I have a deeper stroke
Than all my groanings are;
My God has me of late forsook,
He's gone I know not where.

Oh, what immortal joys I felt
On that celestial day,
When my hard heart began to melt,
By love dissolved away;
But my complaint is bitter now,
For all my joys are gone,
I've strayed! I'm left! I know not how,
The light's from me withdrawn.

Once I rejoiced the saints to meet,
To me they were most dear,
I then could stoop to wash their feet,
And shed a joyful tear;
But now I meet them as the rest,
And with them joyless stay,
My conversation's spiritless,
Or else I've naught to say.

I forward go in duty's way,
But can't perceive Him there,
Then backward on the road I stray,
But cannot find Him there;
On the left hand, where He doth work,
Among the wicked crew,
And on the right, I find Him not,
Among the favored few.

What shall I do; Shall I lie down,
And sink in deep despair?
Will He forever wear a frown,
Nor hear my feeble prayer?
No; He will put His strength in me,
He knows the way I've strolled,
And when I'm tried sufficiently,
I shall come forth as gold.