376    7s     John Newton
“I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.” Gen. 32. 26

1 Lord, I cannot let thee go,
  Till a blessing thou bestow;
  Do not turn away thy face;
  Mine’s an urgent, pressing case.

2 [Dost thou ask me who I am?
  Ah, my Lord, thou know’st my name;
  Yet the question gives a plea,
  To support my suit with thee.]

3 Thou didst once a wretch behold,
  In rebellion blindly bold;
  Scorn thy grace; thy power defy;
  That poor rebel, Lord, was I.

4 Once a sinner near despair
  Sought thy mercy-seat by prayer;
  Mercy heard and set him free;
  Lord, that mercy came to me.

5 Many days have passed since then;
  Many changes I have seen;
  Yet have been upheld till now;
  Who could hold me up but thou?

6 Thou hast helped in every need;
  This emboldens me to plead;
  After so much mercy past,
  Canst thou let me sink at last?

7 No; I must maintain my hold;
  ’Tis thy goodness makes me bold;
  I can no denial take,
  When I plead for Jesus’ sake.