Poem by William Cowper

Olney Hymn 62. Dependence

    To keep the lamp alive,
        With oil we fill the bowl; 
    'Tis water makes the willow thrive,
        And grace that feeds the soul.

    The Lord's unsparing hand
        Supplies the living stream; 
    It is not at our own command,
        But still derived from Him.

    Beware of Peter's word,
        Nor confidently say, 
    "I never will deny Thee, Lord," --
        But, -- "Grant I never may."

    Man's wisdom is to seek
        His strength in God alone; 
    And e'en an angel would be weak,
        Who trusted in his own.

    Retreat beneath his wings,
        And in His gace confide! 
    This more exalts the King of kings
        Than all your works beside.

    In Jesus is our store,
        Grace issues from His throne; 
    Whoever says, "I want no more,"
        Confesses he has done. 

1. Olney Hymn 4. Jehovah-Nissi. The Lord My Banner
2. See Where the Thames, the Purest Stream
3. An Apology for Not Showing Her What I Had Wrote
4. Olney Hymn 55. The Heart Healed and Changed by Mercy
5. An Ode, on Reading Mr. Richardson's History of Sir Charles Grandison

Print

2153 Views

Last Poems

To Russian version