The Happy Debtor

I

Ten thousand talents once I owed,
  And nothing had to pay;
But Jesus freed me from the load,
  And wash’d my debt away.

II

Yet since the Lord forgave my sin,
  And blotted out my score,
Much more indebted I have been
  Than e’er I was before.

III

My guilt is cancel’d quite, I know.
  And satisfaction made;
But the vast debt of love I owe
  Can never be repaid.

IV

The love I owe for sin forgiven,
  For power to believe,
For present peace and promised heaven,
  No angel can conceive.

V

That love of thine, thou sinner’s Friend!
  Witness thy bleeding heart!
My little all can ne’er extend
  To pay a thousandth part.

VI

Nay, more; the poor returns I make,
  I first from thee obtain;
And ’tis of grace that thou wilt take
  Such poor returns again.

VII

’Tis well⁠—it shall my glory be,
  (Let who will boast their store,)
In time and to eternity,
  To owe thee more and more.