614    S.M.     W. Gadsby
“The Lord trieth the righteous.” Ps. 11. 5

1 The Lord the righteous tries;
  Yet we’ll adore his name;
  He never will their cause despise,
  Nor put their hope to shame.

2 He brings them to the test,
  And tries them by his law;
  Then leads them to the promised rest,
  From whence they comfort draw.

3 Then he his face conceals,
  And by his Spirit’s power reveals
  The dreadful plague of sin.

4 We straightway cry, “Unclean!
  A monstrous mass of woe!
  What can such hosts of evil mean?
  And whither can we go?”

5 “Look here,” the Lord replies;
  “Thy beauty’s all in me;
  ’Tis thine to flee from self, and prize
  Salvation full and free.

6 “Whate’er my wisdom does,
  Or lets the tempter do,
  Thy guilt and ruin to disclose,
  One thing I keep in view –

7 “To teach thee how to live
  By faith in Jesus’ name;
  For guilt and sin to mourn and grieve,
  And sing the Lamb once slain.”