Poem by William Cowper

Olney Hymn 6. Wisdom

    (Proverbs, viii. 22-31)

    "Ere God had built the mountains,
        Or raised the fruitful hills; 
    Before he fill'd the fountains
        That feed the running rills; 
    In me from everlasting,
        The wonderful I am, 
    Found pleasures never wasting,
        And Wisdom is my name.

    "When, like a tent to dwell in,
        He spread the skies abroad, 
    And swathed about the swelling
        Of Ocean's mighty flood; 
    He wrought by weight and measure,
        And I was with Him then: 
    Myself the Father's pleasure,
        And mine, the sons of men."

    Thus Wisdom's words discover
        Thy glory and Thy grace, 
    Thou everlasting lover
        Of our unworthy race! 
    Thy gracious eye survey'd us
        Ere stars were seen above; 
    In wisdom thou hast made us,
        And died for us in love.

    And couldst thou be delighted
        With creatures such as we, 
    Who, when we saw Thee, slighted,
        And nail'd Thee to a tree? 
    Unfathomable wonder,
        And mystery divine! 
    The voice that speaks in thunder,
        Says, "Sinner, I am thine!" 

1. Olney Hymn 9. The Contrite Heart
2. A Comparison. Addressed to a Young Lady
3. To a Young Friend, on His Arriving at Cambridge Wet, When No Rain Had Fallen There
4. Olney Hymn 24. Prayer for Children
5. An Epitaph

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