Agag—Self-pity
Not for Thyself, Thy pity and Thy
fears,
Not for Thyself, Thy sympathy, Thy
tears-
Only for others were Thy comforts
spent;
Only for others Thy compassions lent.
This secret virtue, self-forgetfulness,
This generous power to succor and to
bless
By reason of an inward liberty,
Give it to me, my Lord, give it to
me!
Now, by Thy grace, I do contemn,
refuse
That deadly vice, self-pity. I would
use
Strength that Thou givest, pity’s
gracious power
For others only. Grant me from this
hour
To be aware of Agag, though he be,
Like Agag, walking very delicately.
Help me to rise and smite him down
and slay,
And spare him not. Away with
him—away!
- Amy Carmichael
