C AROLINA T UNE

Rejoice in God, the word commands,
And fain would I obey;
That still my spirit ling'ring stands,
While doubts impede my way.

How can my soul exult for joy
Which feels this load of sin?
How can sweet praise my tongue employ
While darkness reigns within?

Whence should my lips give rapture birth,
When I no rapture feel?
Or how should notes of heav'nly mirth
Sound from an heart of steel?

If falling tears and rising sighs
In triumph share a part;
Then, Lord, behold these streaming eyes,
And search this bleeding heart.

My soul forgets to use her wings;
My harp neglected lies;
For sin has broken all its strings,
And guilt shuts out my joy

In vain I search the creatures round;
Their ev'ry answer this —
" No pleasure can in us be found
" If God is not your bliss."