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Poor, Weak, and Unworthy, Though I Am—with John Newton

Last year I came across a hymn by John Newton in Olney Hymns and it really resonated with me. So I modernized it and changed some words to make it ring more clearly for today's readers/singers. We sang this at Grace Baptist Church in Carlisle, PA during a service in which I was preaching.  

Poor, Weak, and Unworthy, Though I Am
Text: John Newton and Dustin Battles

1.
Poor, weak, unworthy though I am,
I have a rich, almighty Friend;
Jesus, the Savior, is his name,
He freely loves, and without end.

He ransomed me from hell with blood,
And by his pow'r my foes controlled;
He found me, wand'ring far from God,
And brought me to his chosen fold.

2. 
My gracious Friend I've often grieved;
Distrusted, scorned, and disobeyed,
And often Satan's lies believed,
Ignoring all my Friend has said.

He welcomes me in ev'ry task
To bring him any sin confessed; 
All I must do is humbly ask:
He'll grant me pardon and sweet rest.

3.
Oh how my inmost spirit mourns,
How deep my eyes with tears do swim,
To think of my perverse returns;
I've been a faithless friend to him.

He hears my cries, new grace supplies,
And says that I shall shortly be
Enthroned with him above the skies,
O, what a friend is Christ to me!

© Dustin Battles (2015)

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