The valley of the shadow of death

William Cowper · 1779

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

25 content lines · 151 words · Est. recitation about 1 min 47 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 20

William Cowper

8,8,8,8

The valley of the shadow of death.

My soul is sad and much dismayed;

See, LORD, what legions of my foes,

With fierce Apollyon at their head,

My heav'nly pilgrimage oppose!

See, from the over-burning lake

How like a smoky cloud they rise!

With horrid blasts my soul they shake,

With storms of blasphemies and lies.

Their fiery arrows reach the mark,
Eph 6:16

My throbbing heart with anguish tear;

Each lights upon a kindred spark,

And finds abundant fuel there.

I hate the thought that wrongs the LORD;

O, I would drive it from my breast,

With thy own sharp two-edged sword,

Far as the east is from the west!

Come then, and chase the cruel host,

Heal the deep wounds I have received!

Nor let the pow'rs of darkness boast

That I am foiled, and thou art grieved!