Cântăre I Stood Outside the Gate

1. I stood outside the gate,

A poor way-faring child;

Within my heart there beat

A tempest loud and wild;

A fear oppressed my soul,

That I might be too late;

And, oh, I trembled sore,

And prayed outside the gate.



2. "O Mercy!" loud I cried,

"Now give me rest from sin!"

"I will," a voice replied,

And Mercy let me in:

She bound my bleeding wounds,

And soothed my heart oppressed,

She washed away my guilt,

And gave me peace and rest.



3. In Mercy’s guise I knew

The Savior long abused,

Who often sought my heart,

And wept when I refused;

Oh, what a blest return

For all my years of sin!

I stood outside the gate,

And Jesus let me in.