Olney Hymns (1840)/Book 1/Hymn 91
91.
Peter sinning and repenting.—Matt, xxvi, 73.
1 When Peter boasted, soon he fell,
Yet was by grace restored;
His case should be regarded well
By all who fear the Lord.
Yet was by grace restored;
His case should be regarded well
By all who fear the Lord.
2 A voice it has, and helping hand,
Backsliders to recall;
And cautions those who think they stand,
Lest suddenly they fall.
Backsliders to recall;
And cautions those who think they stand,
Lest suddenly they fall.
3 He said, "Whatever others do,
With Jesus I'll abide;"
Yet soon amidst a murd'rous crew
His suff'ring Lord denied.
With Jesus I'll abide;"
Yet soon amidst a murd'rous crew
His suff'ring Lord denied.
4 He who had been so bold before
Now trembled like a leaf,—
Not only lied, but cursed and swore,
To gain the more belief.
Now trembled like a leaf,—
Not only lied, but cursed and swore,
To gain the more belief.
5 While he blasphemed he heard the cock,
And Jesus look'd in love;
At once, as if by lightning struck,
His tongue forebore to move.
And Jesus look'd in love;
At once, as if by lightning struck,
His tongue forebore to move.
6 Deliver'd thus from Satan's snare,
He starts, as from a sleep;
His Saviour's look he could not bear,
But hasted forth to weep.
He starts, as from a sleep;
His Saviour's look he could not bear,
But hasted forth to weep.
7 But sure the faithful cock had crow'd
A hundred times in vain
Had not the Lord that look bestow'd
The meaning to explain.
A hundred times in vain
Had not the Lord that look bestow'd
The meaning to explain.
8 As I, like Peter, vows have made,
Yet acted Peter's part;
So conscience, like the cock, upbraids
My base ungrateful heart.
Yet acted Peter's part;
So conscience, like the cock, upbraids
My base ungrateful heart.
9 Lord Jesus, hear a sinner's cry,
My broken peace renew;
And grant one pitying look, that I
May weep with Peter too.
My broken peace renew;
And grant one pitying look, that I
May weep with Peter too.