Poem by William Cowper

Olney Hymn 17. The House of Prayer

    (Mark, xi.17)

    Thy mansion is the Christian's heart,
        O Lord, Thy dwelling place secure! 
    Bid the unruly throng depart,
        And leave the consecrated door.

    Devoted as it is to Thee,
        A thievish swarm frequents the place, 
    They steal away my hopes from me,
        And rob my Saviour of His praise.

    There, too, a sharp designing trade
        Sin, Satan, and the World maintain; 
    Nor cease to press me, and persuade
        To part with ease, and purchase pain.

    I know them, and I hate their din;
        And weary of the bustling crowd; 
    But while their voice is heard within,
        I cannot serve Thee as I would.

    Oh! for the joy thy presence gives,
        What peace shall reign when Thou art there; 
    Thy presence makes this den of thieves
        A calm delightful house of prayer.

    And if Thou make Thy temple shine,
        Yet self-abased, will I adore; 
    The gold and silver are not mine;
        I give Thee waht was Thine before. 

1. See Where the Thames, the Purest Stream
2. An Apology for Not Showing Her What I Had Wrote
3. Olney Hymn 4. Jehovah-Nissi. The Lord My Banner
4. An Ode, on Reading Mr. Richardson's History of Sir Charles Grandison
5. Olney Hymn 24. Prayer for Children

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