Open, Lord, my inward ear

1.
Open, Lord, my inward ear, and bid my heart rejoice! 
Bid my quiet spirit hear thy comfortable voice, 
never in the whirlwind found, 
or where earthquakes rock the place; 
still and silent is the sound, the whisper of thy grace.

2.
From the world of sin and noise and hurry I withdraw. 
For the small and inward voice I wait, with humble awe. 
Silent am I now and still, 
dare not in thy presence move. 
To my waiting soul reveal the secret of thy love. 

3.
Thou hast undertook for me, for me to death wast sold; 
wisdom in a mystery of bleeding love unfold. 
Teach the lesson of the cross; 
let me die with thee to reign. 
All things let me count but loss so I may thee regain. 

4.
Show me, as my soul can bear, the depth of inbred sin; 
all the unbelief declare, the pride that lurks within. 
Take me, whom thyself hast bought,
bring into captivity 
every high aspiring thought that would not stoop to thee. 

5.
Lord, my time is in thy hand -- my soul to thee convert. 
Thou canst make me understand, though I am slow of heart. 
Thine, in whom I love and move,
thine the work, the praise is thine, 
thou art wisdom, power, and love -- and all thou art is mine.

#140 in Hymnal: A Worship Book

Words:  Charles Wesley, Hymns and Spiritual Songs, 1742
   Tune:  Bradley P. Lehman, 1991
                   Music © 1991 Bradley P. Lehman


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