The Poetical Works of William Cowper (Benham)/Olney Hymns/12. Ephraim repenting

by William Cowper (1731-1800)

XII. EPHRAIM REPENTING.
Jer. xxxi. 18-20.

My God! till I received thy stroke,

How like a beast was I!
So unaccustomed to the yoke,
So backward to comply.

With grief my just reproach I bear,
Shame fills me at the thought;
How frequent my rebellions were,
What wickedness I wrought.

Thy merciful restraint I scorned,
And left the pleasant road;
Yet turn me, and I shall be turned,
Thou art the Lord my God.

Is Ephraim banished from my thoughts,
Or vile in my esteem?
"No," saith the Lord, "with all his faults,
I shall remember him."

"Is he a dear and pleasant child?"
"Yes, dear and pleasant still;
Though sin his foolish heart beguiled,
And he withstood my will.

"My sharp rebuke has laid him low,
He seeks my face again;
My pity kindles at his woe,
He shall not seek in vain."