I do not do the things I want

I do not do the things I want,

But what I do is what I hate; 

I know the law of God is good,

But sin enthralls my inward state.

'Tis sadly true, I cannot do

The good things that I contemplate. 

Thanks be to God! All thanks and praise

To God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

 

Now when I want to do the good,

Then sin draws near, comes by my side; 

But God's good law is my delight,

And in God's truth I would abide.

Though still does sin make war within

I yet in God my hope confide.

Thanks be to God! All thanks and praise

To God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

 

O wretched body that I am

With sin at war with all my good,

O who will rescue me from death

And help me live the way I would?

God comes to save me from the grave

and free my soul from sin's falsehood!

Thanks be to God! All thanks and praise

To God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, June 2023, after Romans 7:15-25.

MUSIC: Tune YE BANKS AND BRAES, Scottish melody.

 

 

The Romans series continues. I had thought long ago that if I was really going to do such a series, this passage (which is basically Paul going into emotional and spiritual dark places and getting all tangled up in it) would be one of the hardest if not the hardest. Once, however, this tune came to mind with its folk and even ballad-like qualities, the text came together fairly quickly.