Eivend’s Song

I wrote this song for a character in The Lily and the Lyre, the sequel to The Star and the Sword. It appears in that manuscript (although that’s still undergoing heavy editing, and Eivend is at risk of getting kicked out of the story… so we’ll see what happens in the final draft). Lent and Easter weren’t on my mind when I initially scribbled down the poem late at night last June, but I realized that it reflects the emotional journey of Holy Week and Easter: the transition from penitent and broken sinner to redeemed and beloved child of God.

Melody is taken from the Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary, #396. Public domain.

O Lord, behold my wretched state,
In mercy and not anger,
Lest in my sin I hesitate,
And from Thy ways still wander.
Lord, I do wish to turn to You,
Yet what I wish I cannot do:
Thou only art my Helper.

In sin I’ve wallowed from my youth;
Iniquities have washed me.
I’ve pledged myself unto Thy truth,
And in temptation lost me.
Lord, look with mercy on Thy lamb;
Forgive me, merciful I AM,
And let me no more wander.

For in Thy fold I long to be,
And in Thine arms to rest me,
Sheltered from all who threaten me
And all who would oppress me.
Lord, for Thy Son’s sake make me Thine,
And in my heart Thy Spirit shine;
Thy Sacraments let cleanse me.

For I am bathed in Baptism’s wave,
And hell cannot assail me.
Thy mighty Word is strong to save,
Thy love will never fail me.
Upon Thy breast I take my rest.
By Thy dear Son, my name is blest:
All glory to Thy goodness!

And yet, Lord, Thou art not content,
To merely clean and claim me,
But to me a great feast present,
Thy mercy strong to shame me.
At Thy blest board a feast is spread—
My food is now the Living Bread,
And His dear blood to quench me!

Lord, grant that I, so richly fed,
May live to serve Thee solely,
And from this water, wine, and bread,
Take strength to live life holy.
And when I die, may sweetly rest
Till that last day and trumpet blest:
To Thee, Lord, I commend me.