I Would, but Cannot Sing

I would

but can­not sing

Guilt has un­tuned my voice;

The ser­pent sin’s en­ven­omed sting

Has poi­soned all my joys.

I know the Lord is nigh

And would

but ca­nnot

pray;

For Sa­tan meets me when I try

And frights my soul away.

I would but can’t re­pent

Though I en­dea­vor oft;

This sto­ny heart can ne’er re­lent

Till Je­sus make it soft.

I would but ca­nnot love

Though wooed by love di­vine;

No ar­gu­ments have pow’r to move

A soul so base as mine.

I would

but can­not rest

In God’s most ho­ly will;

I know what He ap­points is best

Yet mur­mur at it still.

Oh could I but be­lieve!

Then all would ea­sy be;

I would

but can­not

Lord re­lieve

My help must come from Thee!

But if in­deed I would

Though I can no­thing do

Yet the de­sire is some­thing good

For which my praise is due.

By na­ture prone to ill

Till Thine ap­point­ed hour

I was as des­ti­tute of will

As now I am of pow­er.

Wilt Thou not crown

at length

The work Thou hast be­gun?

And with a will

af­ford me strength

In all Thy ways to run.