This hymn helps us see the reality of the symptoms of our sin—the actuality of the unredeemed areas of our lives that really do afflict us and our daily walk with God. My “guilt” undermines my worship; my “stony heart” stops the repentance I need to do; my transgressions keep me from the “rest in God’s holy will” that He desires. We need faith and grace for our sin to be dealt with so that we can do what we desire—what He desires (Romans 7.19-20). The “it is not well” may be jarring, but it is a useful confession to the current lack of sanctification we experience, even as we (and Newton would) affirm the “it is well” that comes from Christ’s justifying work. The hymn is a confession but also a prayer that we might be able to “run” in the fullness of his “ways.”
lyrics
I Would, But Cannot Sing
Verses by John Newton
Chorus by Andy Guy
I would, but cannot sing,
Guilt has untuned my voice;
The serpent sin’s envenomed sting
Has poisoned all my joys.
I know the Lord is nigh,
And would, but cannot, pray;
For Satan meets me when I try,
And frights my soul away.
I would but can’t repent
Though I endeavor oft;
This stony heart can ne’er relent
Till Jesus make it soft.
Chorus:
Lay me down
Pick me up
Carry me on Thy strong back
I would but cannot love,
Though wooed by love divine;
No arguments have pow’r to move
A soul so base as mine.
I would, but cannot rest
In God’s most holy will;
I know what He appoints is best,
Yet murmur at it still!
Oh could I but believe!
Then all would easy be;
I would, but cannot, Lord relieve,
My help must come from Thee!
Chorus:
Lay me down
Pick me up
Carry me on Thy strong back
But if indeed I would,
Though I can nothing do,
Yet the desire is something good,
For which my praise is due.
By nature prone to ill,
Till Thine appointed hour
I was as destitute of will,
As now I am of pow’r.
Wilt Thou not crown, at length,
The work Thou hast begun?
And with a will, afford me strength
In all Thy ways to run.
credits
from Amazing Grace etc.,
released January 9, 2016
Commentary by Pastor Ross Durham
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