Ah! whither should I go,

Burdened and sick and faint?

To whom should I my troubles show,

And pour out my complaint?

My Saviour bids me come;

Ah! why do I delay?

He calls the weary sinner home,

And yet from Him I stay!

What is it keeps me back,

From which I cannot part,

Which will not let my Saviour take

Possession of my heart?

Some cursed thing unknown

Must surely lurk within,

Some idol which I will not own,

Some secret bosom-sin.

Jesus the hindrance show

Which I have feared to see;

Yet let me now consent to know

What keeps me out of Thee.

Searcher of hearts in mine

Thy trying power display;

Into its darkest corners shine,

And take the veil away.

I now believe in thee

Compassion reigns alone;

According to my faith to me,

O let it, Lord be done!

In me is all the bar

Which thou wouldst fain remove;

Remove it, and I shall declare

That God is only love.