The Path of Life

Apart from Hope

I fail to believe

Apart from You

I fall deceived

Apart from Faith

I cannot see

I am blind

I am deaf

Apart from Your Grace

my doubt has blinded me

take hold of me, Lord

lest I be lost

oh, hold my hand

lest I be sought

and not found

hold me tight, Lord

for I am weak

Apart from Your Courage

I have no strength

Apart from Your Peace

the tempest rages

Apart from Your Mercy

I will not make it

Apart from Your Light

the darkness will bind me

within its invisible chains

will capture me

within its cold embrace

will pierce me

and fill my heart

with its twisted hate

vain deeds

and errant dreams

Apart from Your Passion

I have no will to fight

for all that is right

Apart from Your Justice

I will not win

try though I might

die as I try

I will lose in the end

Apart from Your Compassion

like the world

I am lost in sin

I would turn away

those You send

I would offend

these hearts through me You mend

Apart from Your Love

there is no good in me

no good left in this life

no good at all

Apart from Your Life

Apart from Your Touch

Apart from Your Breath

I fail to stand

I fail to speak

I fail to exist

without You

I am nothing

without Your caress

and lest Your Heart beat for me

mine will not beat again

I feel nothing

I am numb

cold

and lifeless

Apart from You

there is no Freedom

there is no Joy

there is no Home

like an infant without its mother

like a flower without sunlight

like a bird in a cage

alone I would be

alone I would die

alone I would ache and not know contentment

alone I would cry

alone I would hope

alone I would sing a sweet goodbye

to warmth

to blue skies

and wind beneath wings meant to fly

Apart from You

I am nothing

I know I need You

I need You

I can trust no other friend

for ambitions stray

affection is shallow

earthly ties grow dim

feelings fade

and tears blur my vision

because all men betray

yet You are constant

You are here

I am nothing

but I can trust You

I can trust You

Apart from You

I am nothing

but with Your help

I can trust

how I need You

Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust.

O my soul, you have said to the LORD,

“You are my Lord,

My goodness is nothing apart from You.”

As for the saints who are on the earth,

“They are the excellent ones, in whom is all
my delight.”

Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten
after another god;

Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer,

Nor take up their names on my lips.

O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance
and my cup;

You maintain my lot.

The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;

Yes, I have a good inheritance.

I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel;

My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.

I have set the LORD always before me;

Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;

My flesh also will rest in hope.

For You will not leave my soul in Sheol,

Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.

You will show me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

–Psalm 16 (nkjv)