The Poetical Works of William Cowper (Benham)/Olney Hymns/11. Jehovah our Righteousness

by William Cowper (1731-1800)

XI. JEHOVAH OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Jer. xxiii. 6

My God! how perfect are thy ways!

But mine polluted are;
Sin twines itself about my praise,
And slides into my prayer.

When I would speak what thou hast done
To save me from my sin,
I cannot make thy mercies known,
But self-applause creeps in.

Divine desire, that holy flame
Thy grace creates in me;
Alas! impatience is its name,
When it returns to thee.

This heart, a fountain of vile thoughts,
How does it overflow,
While self upon the surface floats,
Still bubbling from below!

Let others in the gaudy dress
Of fancied merit shine;
The Lord shall be my righteousness,
The Lord for ever mine.