Classic Poem

We name thy name, O God,
As our God call on thee,
Though the dark heart meantime
Far from thy ways may be.
And we can own thy law,
And we can sing thy songs,
While the sad inner soul
To sin and shame belongs.

On us thy love may glow,
As the pure mid-day fire
On some foul spot look down,
And yet the mire be mire.
Then spare us not thy fires,
The searching light and pain;
Burn out our sin; and, last,
With thy love heal again!