Love constraining to obedience

William Cowper · 1779

Catalog grade guidance: 3–5 — Olney hymn for school recitation; preview archaic diction.

29 content lines · 151 words · Est. recitation about 1 min 53 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 62

William Cowper

8,6,8,6

Love constraining to obedience.

No strength of nature can suffice

To serve the LORD aright;

And what she has, she misapplies,

For want of clearer light.

How long beneath the law I lay

In bondage and distress!

I toiled the precept to obey,

But toiled without success.

Then to abstain from outward sin

Was more than I could do;

Now, if I feel its pow'r within,

I feel I hate it too.

Then all my servile works were done

A righteousness to raise;

Now, freely chosen in the Son,

I freely choose his ways.

What shall I do was then the word,

That I may worthier grow?

What shall I render to the LORD?

Is my enquiry now.

To see the Law by CHRIST fulfilled,

And hear his pard'ning voice;

Changes a slave into a child,
Rom 3:31

And duty into choice.