Fain Would I, Lord Of Grace

 

"Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there?"
(Jeremiah 8:22)

The Balm Of Gilead
Diana Tylski
 Image courtesy/ Fine Art America

Fain would I, Lord of grace,

With penitential tears

The record of my sins efface,

That in Thy book appears:

Fain would I journey hence,

In garb of stainless white,

And made by mine own penitence

Well pleasing in Thy sight.

Fond idle dream! the foe

But lures and fools my soul;

Not all my tears can peace bestow-

Thou only makest whole.

Hath ever sailor tossed,

Or sufferer racked in pain,

Within Thine anchorage been lost,

Or found Thy Gilead vain?

Maker and hope of all!

Wounded and sick am I;

Great Healer, save me, lest I fall

And perish utterly.

Can boundless love reject?

Shall mercy say me nay,

Who cry with all Thine own elect

Before Thee, night and day?

"Fain Would I, Lord Of Grace"
6th or 7th century
Author Unknown

Translated from Greek to English in 1889 by
Jackson Mason
(1833-1888)
English Anglican clergyman