A dark and blinded thing is man

Yet full of fancied light!

But all His penetration can

Obtain no gospel light

Though heavenly truth may blaze abroad

He cannot see at all;

Though gospel leaders show the road

He still gropes for the wall.

Perhaps he stands to hear the sound

But blind he still remains,

No meaning in the word is found

To cause him joys or pains.

O Lord, thy holy power display,

For thou the help must find;

Pour in the light of gospel day,

Illuminate the blind.

Behold, how unconcerned they dwell!

Though reft of sight they be,

They fancy they can see right well

And need not help from thee.

Speak, and they’ll mourn their blinded eyes.

And cry to thee for light;

O Lord, do not our prayer despise,

But give these blind men sight.

from John Ploughman’s Pictures by Charles Spurgeon