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Words: William Cowper, Olney Hymns (London: W. Oliver, 1779).
Music: "Holborn Hill," St. Alban's Tune Book
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God gives His mercies to be spent;
Your hoard will do your soul no good.
Gold is a blessing only lent,
Repaid by giving others food.
The world's esteem is but a bribe,
To buy their peace you sell your own;
The slave of a vainglorious tribe,
Who hate you while they make you known.
The joy that vain amusements give,
O! sad conclusion that it brings!
The honey of a crowded hive,
Defended by a thousand stings.
'Tis thus the world rewards the fools
That live upon her treacherous smiles:
She leads them, blindfold, by her rules,
And ruins all whom she beguiles.
God knows the thousands who go down
From pleasure into endless woe;
And with a long despairing groan
Blaspheme their Maker as they go.
Oh fearful thought! be timely wise;
Delight but in a Savior's charms,
And God shall take you to the skies,
Embraced in everlasting arms.
Hymns supplied through the gracious generosity of the Cyber Hymnal Website