I Stood Outside the Gate

1I 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 pray'd outside the gate,
And pray'd 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, opprest;
She washed away my guilt And gave me peace and rest,
And gave me peace and rest.

3In Mercy's guise I knew The Saviour 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,
And Jesus let me in.