Self-acquaintance

Source

Source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library (Olney Hymns, 1779) Source URL: https://ccel.org/ccel/newton/olneyhymns Public domain basis: First published London, 1779; Newton d. 1807, Cowper d. 1800. CCEL first-edition transcription. US public domain. Coverage: Complete individual poem extracted from parent edition olney-hymns at bytes 305388-306189; checksum bdfc097ecb479a89d2c273416b3508ce9c0e2a86550e2899ced33363109255cc.

# Self-acquaintance

Self-acquaintance

Hymn 26

William Cowper

8,6,8,6

Self-acquaintance.

Dear Lord accept a sinful heart,

Which of itself complains

And mourns, with much and frequent smart,

The evil it contains.

There fiery seeds of anger lurk,

Which often hurt my frame;

And wait but for the tempter's work,

To fan them to a flame.

Legality holds out a bribe

To purchase life from thee;

And discontent would fain prescribe

How thou shalt deal with me.

While unbelief withstands thy grace;

And puts the mercy by;

Presumption, with a brow of brass,

Says, "Give me, or I die."

How eager are my thoughts to roam

In quest of what they love!

But ah! when duty calls them home,

How heavily they move!

O, cleanse me in a Savior's blood,

Transform me by thy pow'r,

And make me thy beloved abode,

And let me rove no more.