The Contrite Heart

(Isaiah, lvii.)The Lord will happiness divine
On contrite hearts bestow;
Then tell me, gracious God, is mine
A contrite heart or no?I hear, but seem to hear in vain,
Insensible as steel;
If aught is felt, 'tis only pain,
To find I cannot feel.I sometimes think myself inclined
To love Thee if I could;
But often feel another mind,
Averse to all that's good.My best desires are faint and few,
I fain would strive for more;
But when I cry, "My strength renew!"
Seem weaker than before.Thy saints are comforted, I know,
And love Thy house of prayer;
I therefore go where others go,
But find no comfort there.Oh make this heart rejoice or ache;
Decide this doubt for me;
And if it be not broken, break --
And heal it, if it be.