The heart healed and changed by mercy

William Cowper · 1779

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

28 content lines · 152 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 63

William Cowper

7,6,7,6,7,7,7,6

The heart healed and changed by mercy.

Sin enslaved me many years,

And led me bound and blind;

Till at length a thousand fears

Came swarming o'er my mind.

Where, I said in deep distress,

Will these sinful pleasures end?

How shall I secure my peace,

And make the LORD my friend?

Friends and ministers said much

The gospel to enforce;

But my blindness still was such,

I chose a legal course

Much I fasted, watched and strove,

Scarce would show my face abroad,

Feared, almost, to speak or move,

A stranger still to GOD.

Thus afraid to trust his grace,

Long time did I rebel;

Till, despairing of my case,

Down at his feet I fell:

Then my stubborn heart he broke,

And subdued me to his sway;

By a simple word he spoke,

"Thy sins are done away."