1004    L.M.     Isaac Watts
Original and actual sin confessed. Ps. 51. 1-9; Rom. 5. 12

1 Lord, I am vile, conceived in sin,
  And born unholy and unclean;
  Sprung from the man whose guilty fall
  Corrupts the race, and taints us all.

2 Soon as we draw our infant breath,
  The seeds of sin grow up for death;
  The law demands a perfect heart;
  But we’re defiled in every part.

3 Behold, I fall before thy face;
  My only refuge is thy grace;
  Not outward forms can make me clean –
  The leprosy lies deep within.

4 Jesus, my Lord! thy blood alone
  Has power sufficient to atone;
  Thy blood can make me white as snow;
  No Jewish types could cleanse me so.

5 While guilt disturbs and breaks my peace,
  Nor flesh, nor soul, has rest or ease;
  Lord, let me hear thy pardoning voice,
  And make my broken bones rejoice.