First Line: I stood outside the gate,

I stood outside the gate,
A poor, wayfaring 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,
And prayed outside the gate.

2 Oh, 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 opprest ;
She washed away my guilt,
And gave me peace and rest.

3 In Mercy's guise I knew
The Saviour long abused,
Who often sought my heart,
And wept when 1 refused.
Oh, what a blest return
For all my years of sin !----
I stood outside the gate,
And Jesus let me in.