Hymns for Lent - Ash Wednesday

Each day during the season of Lent (March 1 - April 15) a daily different hymn will be posted from The Methodist Pocket Hymn-Book (1818) as a tool for your daily devotions.
_________________________________________________________________________________
"You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord, so live your life as children of light." - Ephesians 5:8 

Buried in the shadows of the night

We lie till Christ restores the light,

Wisdom descends to heal the blind,

And chase the darkness of the mind.

Our guilty souls are drown'd in tears,

Till the atoning blood appears,

Thou we awake from deep distress,

And sing the Lord our righteousness.

Jesus beholds where Satan reigns,

Binding his slaves in heavy chain;

He sets the pris'ner free, and breaks

The iron bondage from our necks.

Poor helpless worms in Thee possess

Grace, wisdom, power, and righteousness;

Thou art our mighty All, and we

Give our whole selves, O Lord, to Thee. 
________________________________________________________
 The Methodist Pocket Hymn-Book. New York: J. Soule and T. Mason Publishing Co., 1818.