頌詩譯選
自我認知
親愛的主!接受一顆罪惡的心,
它自己也在怨嫌,
並且悲傷,痛苦既多又深,
邪惡存在它中間。
那裏潛伏着忿怒激烈的種子,
常會戕害我的康健;
但等到火性發作起
就煽成一片火焰。
律法拿出來賄賂
要向你買我的生命;
不滿深願意寫出
你當如何待我的規定。
不信在抵擋你的恩典,
也推卻你的慈憐,
傲慢卻厚顏只重銅錢,
說:“給我,或我死也甘願!”
我的思想多麼渴望流連
尋求那些他所愛羨!
但是,啊!當責任召他回到家園,
何等的沉重裹足不前!
噢,求用救主寶血潔淨我,
改化我用你的權能,
把我作成你可愛的居所,
使我不再飄零。
Self-Acquaintance
Dear Lord! accept a sinful heart,
Which of itself complains,
And mourns, with much and frequent smart,
The evil it contains.
There fiery seeds of anger lurk,
Which often hurt my frame;
And wait but for the temper's work
To fan them to a flame.
Legality holds out a bribe
To purchase life from Thee;
And discontent would fain prescribe
How Thou shalt deal with me.
While unbelief withstands Thy grace,
And puts the mercy by,
Presumption, with a brow of brass,
Says, "Give me, or I die!"
How eager are my thoughts to roam
In quest of what they love!
But ah! when duty calls them home,
How heavily they move!
Oh, cleanse me in a Saviour's blood,
Transform me by Thy power,
And make me Thy belov'd abode,
And let me roam no more.
William Cowper(1731-1800)
English poet & hymn writer