1  When I am in the natural man,

    How very strong I feel I am,

    I do not know, I cannot scan

          How weak I am.

 2  When in the world I have my life,

    I cannot sense my failure rife,

    But boasting in my earnest strife,

          I forward press.

 3  When I within the darkness dwell,

    My shallow state I cannot tell,

    I only think how I excel,

          And proudly dream.

 4  But when at last I come to Thee,

    Thy searching light uncovers me,

    I see what I could never see —

          My self exposed.

 5  I wither 'neath Thy piercing ray,

    And all my strength dissolves away,

    My self-esteem in dust I lay,

          And lowly bow.

 6  How blind and foolish is the pride

    With which my soul was fortified;

    From my dark heart, self-satisfied,

          It issued forth.

 7  There's not a thing that pride can claim,

    There's not a member but is lame,

    There's only deep regret and shame,

          How can I pray?

 8  Thy blood from judgment saveth me,

    Thy life from wrath delivers me,

    How filthy yet in poverty

          I really am.

 9  I want to pray, but faith have not,

    I fain would seek Thee as Thou art.

    Oh, canst Thou e'er renew my heart,

          Have mercy, Lord!