When I am in the natural man

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.

When in the world I have my life,
I cannot sense my failure rife,
But boasting in my earnest strife,
    I forward press.

When I within the darkness dwell,
My shallow state I cannot tell,
I only think how I excel,
    And proudly dream.

But when at last I come to Thee,
Thy searching light uncovers me,
I see what I could never see—
    My self exposed.

I wither ’neath Thy piercing ray,
And all my strength dissolves away,
My self-esteem in dust I lay,
    And lowly bow.

How blind and foolish is the pride
With which my soul was fortified;
From my dark heart, self-satisfied,
    It issued forth.

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?

Thy blood from judgment saveth me.
Thy life from wrath delivers me,
How filthy yet in poverty
    I really am.

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!