Religion

Welcome to the Table

by William Cowper 1731–1800

From Olney Hymns

Religion

This is the feast of heavenly wine
And God invites to sup;
The juices of the living vine
Were press'd to fill the cup.

Oh! bless the Saviour, ye that eat,
With royal dainties fed;
Not heaven affords a costlier treat,
For Jesus is the bread.

The vile, the lost, he calls to them,
Ye trembling souls, appear!
The righteous in their own esteem
Have no acceptance here.

Approach, ye poor, nor dare refuse
The banquet spread for you;
Dear Saviour, this is welcome news,
Then I may venture too.

If guilt and sin afford a plea,
And may obtain a place,
Surely the Lord will welcome me,
And I shall see his face.

MLA

Cowper, William. “Welcome to the Table.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/cowper/178/.

Chicago

Cowper, William. “Welcome to the Table.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/cowper/178/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

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