Prayer for patience

William Cowper · 1779

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

29 content lines · 162 words · Est. recitation about 1 min 58 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 28

William Cowper

8,8,8,8

Prayer for patience.

Lord, who hast suffered all for me,

My peace and pardon to procure;

The lighter cross I bear for thee,

Help me with patience to endure.

The storm of loud repining hush,

I would in humble silence mourn;

Why should th' unburnt, though burning bush,

Be angry as the crackling thorn?

Man should not faint at thy rebuke,

Like Joshua falling on his face,
Josh 7:1-6

When the cursed thing that Achan took,

Brought Israel into just disgrace.

Perhaps some golden wedge suppressed,

Some secret sin offends my GOD;

Perhaps that Babylonish vest,

Self-righteousness, provokes the rod.

Ah! were I buffeted all day,

Mocked, crowned with thorns, and spit upon;

I yet should have no right to say,

My great distress is mine alone.

Let me not angrily declare

No pain was ever sharp like mine;

Nor murmur at the cross I hear,

But rather weep rememb'ring thine.