All I Have Is But Dust and Ashes

He raises the poor from the dust
And lifts the needy from the ash heap.

-Psalm 113:7

O God, my downcast soul can never rise
Unless You raise it up to live again.
You raise me up from dust so with mine eyes
Upon Thee I can gaze and say, "Amen."
I, needy, on the ash heap of my works
Can never reach to righteousness alone.
But God, who always loves and never shirks
Can lift me up to stand before His throne.
My God is with me always when I wake;
He gives me strength to face each day anew.
Without His help, my spirit quick would break
And I would die, and never make it through.
But now, through Him, my soul can live above
Through His great mercy, faithfulness, and love.