The Royal Crown

HOW shall I stand before Thee, Lord, and I am bowed with shame?

For e’en as I am poor and humble, exalted is Thy name!

E’en as my mortal might is weak and limited, Thy power is eternal, infinite,

Sorely wanting as I am, Almighty! Thou art perfect and complete!

For Thou art One, the only living God, who dost exist for aye.

Thou art wise and Thy might and majesty endure alway,

And I am wrought of dust and for the earth destined,

Full of error, helpless as a stone upon the way and blind—

A flitting shadow, a wind that passeth and returneth not—

Wrathful as a serpent, of stony heart and harboring all evil thought!

Yea, of proud and boastful mien, of unclean lips, a mortal vain

Who followeth his heart’s desire, and counsel doth despise, and thought disdain.

For what I am and what is even this my life and power?

What fruit may bear my righteousness through life’s e’er-changeful hour?

I know not whence I come, nor whither I am bound!

Before Thy might in awe I stand, bowed low unto the ground!