A hymn that helps us realize that God's grace is only as amazing as our brokenness is admitted

Red Mountain Music's new album, All Things New, has been monopolizing my personal airwaves since Tuesday.  I wrote my review in haste, for a fourth "favorite" song has appeared.  The longer I am a Christian, the more I realize that sin "slides itself into my prayer."  The longer I am a worship leader, the more I truly feel how, Sunday after Sunday, "sin twines itself about my praise."  This makes me cry, because in some sense, I can be no more righteous than this.  This is my plight until the day I die.  And yet, I am loved radically, and the blood of Christ covers me: "The Lord shall be my righteousness."  Thank you, Red Mountain, for this offering.

The Lord Forever Mine

My God! how perfect are Thy ways!
But mine polluted are;
Sin twines itself about my praise,
And slides into my prayer.

When I would speak what Thou hast done
To save me from my sin;
I cannot make Thy mercies known
But self-applause creeps in.

Divine desire, that holy flame
Thy grace creates in me;
Alas! impatience is its name,
When it returns to Thee.

*This heart, a fountain of vile thoughts,
How does it overflow?
While self upon the surface floats
Still bubbling from below.

Let others in the gaudy dress
Of fancied merit shine;
The Lord shall be my righteousness
The Lord for ever mine.

Words: William Cowper, 1779

*this verse not included in the recording