Poem by John Newton

Balaam's Wish

How blest the righteous are
When they resign their breath!
No wonder Balaam wished to share
In such a happy death.

Oh! let me die, said he,
The death the righteous do;
When life is ended let me be
Found with the faithful few.

The force of truth how great!
When enemies confess,
None but the righteous whom they hate,
A solid hope possess.

But Balaam's wish was vain,
His heart was insincere;
He thirsted for unrighteous gain,
And sought a portion here.

He seemed the Lord to know,
And to offend him loth;
But Mammon proved his overthrow,
For none can serve them both.

May you, my friends, and I,
Warning from hence receive;
If like the righteous we would die,
To choose the life they live. 

1. Belshazzar
2. Praise for the Incarnation
3. Earthly Prospects Deceitful
4. Joy and Peace in Believing
5. The Two Malefactors

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