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!