Hark, My Soul! It Is the Lord

William Cowper · 1779

Catalog grade guidance: 3–5 — Classic Olney hymn; Christian school memory staple.

29 content lines · 154 words · Est. recitation about 1 min 54 sec (approx.)

Public-domain text for reading and recitation practice. Source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library (Olney Hymns, 1779).Estimated time uses ~120 words/minute plus short pauses—not a contest rule.

Hymn 118

William Cowper

7,7,7,7

Lovest thou me?
Jn 21:16

Hark, my soul! it is the LORD;

'Tis thy Savior, hear his word;

JESUS speaks, and speaks to thee;

"Say, poor sinner, lov'st thou me?

I delivered thee when bound,

And, when wounded, healed thy wound;

Sought thee wand'ring, set thee right,

Turned thy darkness into light."

Can a woman's tender care

Cease, towards the child she bare?

Yes, she may forgetful be,

Yet will I remember thee.

"Mine is an unchanging love;

Higher than the heights above;

Deeper than the depths beneath,

Free and faithful, strong as death.

Thou shalt see my glory soon,

When the work of grace is done;

Partner of my throne shalt be,

Say, poor sinner, lov'st thou me?"

Lord it is my chief complaint,

That my love is weak and faint;

Yet I love thee and adore,

Oh for grace to love thee more!