Scripture Verse

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

Introduction

Words: E. Hoen­ing, in Sift­ed Wheat, ed­it­ed by Charles Ga­bri­el (Day­ton, Ohio: Lo­renz, 1898), num­ber 58.

Music: Charles H. Ga­bri­el (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know Hoen­ing’s full name, or where to get a good pho­to of him (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Charles H. Gabriel (1856–1932)

Lyrics

Oh, for a heart of devotion,
A spirit that worships aright,
A soul full of earnest be­liev­ing,
That walks with the Lord in the light;
And oh, for a spirit like Je­sus,
Kind, gentle, affectionate, true;
A spirit of sweet resignation,
A heart clean within, and made new.

Refrain

Oh, for a clean heart, Je­sus, I pray Thee,
Oh, for a clean heart,
A heart from all sinning set free.

Oh, for a deep sense of duty—
Just doing His bidding each day,
By taking the task He assigns me,
And following Him in the way;
Contented to serve, without asking
Him just what the harvest will be,
But waiting till He shall reveal it,
Content then the blessing to see.

Refrain

Oh, for a sense of dependence,
Not trusting to what I can do;
A leaning by faith on His promise,
A zeal that will carry me thro’;
A heart full of love for the Mas­ter,
And those who are yet far from home;
A mind full of sanctified purpose,
A heart that is fully His own.

Refrain