Lively Hope and Gracious Fear

I

I was a grov’ling creature once,
  And basely cleaved to earth;
I wanted spirit to renounce
  The clod that gave me birth.

II

But God has breathed upon a worm,
  And sent me from above
Wings, such as clothe an angel’s form,
  The wings of joy and love.

III

With these to Pisgah’s top I fly,
  And there delighted stand,
To view, beneath a shining sky,
  The spacious promised land.

IV

The Lord of all the vast domain
  Has promised it to me;
The length and breadth of all the plain,
  As far as faith can see.

V

How glorious is my privilege!
  To thee for help I call;
I stand upon a mountain’s edge,
  Oh, save me, lest I fall!

VI

Though much exalted in the Lord,
  My strength is not my own;
Then let me tremble at his word,
  And none shall cast me down.