Stanza 1
How David, when by sin deceived,
From bad to worse went on!
For when the Holy Spirit's grieved,
Our strength and guard are gone.
Stanza 2
His eye on Bathsheba once fixed,
With poison filled his soul;
He ventured on adult'ry next,
And murder crowned the whole.
Stanza 3
So from a spark of fire at first,
That has not been descried;
A dreadful flame has often burst,
And ravaged far and wide.
Stanza 4
When sin deceives it hardens too,
For though he vainly fought
To hide his crimes from public view,
Of God he little thought.
Stanza 5
He neither would, or could repent,
No true compunction felt;
'Till God in mercy Nathan sent,
His stubborn heart to melt.
Stanza 6
The parable held forth a fact,
Designed his case to show;
But though the picture was exact,
Himself he did not know.
Stanza 7
"Thou art the man," the prophet said,
That word his slumber broke;
And when he owned his sin, and prayed,
The LORD forgiveness spoke.
Stanza 8
Let those who think they stand beware,
For David stood before;
Nor let the fallen soul despair,
For mercy can restore.