English Poetry. Augustus Montague Toplady. Encompassed with Clouds of Distress. Огастус Монтегю Топледи.

Augustus Montague Toplady (Огастус Монтегю Топледи)

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Encompassed with clouds of distress,
Just ready all hope to resign,
I pant for the light of Thy face,
And fear it will never be mine;
Disheartened with waiting so long,
I sink at Thy feet with my load;
All plaintive I pour out my song,
And stretch forth my hands unto God.

Shine, Lord, and my terror shall cease;
The blood of atonement apply;
And lead me to Jesus for peace,
The Rock that is higher than I;
Speak, Savior, for sweet is Thy voice,
Thy presence is fair to behold;
Attend to my sorrows and cries,
My groanings that cannot be told.

If sometimes I strive as I mourn,
My hold of Thy promise to keep,
The billows more fiercely return,
And plunge me again in the deep;
Harassed and cast out from Thy sight,
The tempter suggests with a roar,
"The Lord has forsaken thee quite;
Thy God will be gracious no more."

Yet, Lord, if Thy love hath designed
No covenant blessing for me,
Ah, tell me, how is it I find
Some pleasure in waiting for Thee?
Almighty to rescue Thou art;
Thy grace is my only resource:
If e’er Thou art Lord of my heart,
Thy Spirit must take it by force.

Augustus Montague Toplady’s other poems:

1. Lord, Save Us, We Perish
2. O Thou That Hear’st the Prayer of Faith
3. Fountain of Never Ceasing Grace
4. God of Love
5. Deathless Principle! Arise

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