Religion

True and False Comforts

by William Cowper 1731–1800

From Olney Hymns

Religion

O God, whose favourable eye
The sin-sick soul revives,
Holy and heavenly is the joy
Thy shining presence gives.

Not such as hypocrites suppose,
Who with a graceless heart
Taste not of thee, but drink a dose,
Prepared by Satan's art.

Intoxicating joys are theirs,
Who, while they boast their light,
And seem to soar above the stars,
Are plunging into night.

Lull'd in a soft and fatal sleep,
They sin, and yet rejoice;
Were they indeed the Saviour's sheep,
Would they not hear his voice?

Be mine the comforts that reclaim
The soul from Satan's power;
That make me blush for what I am,
And hate my sin the more.

'Tis joy enough, my All in All,
At thy dear feet to lie;
Thou wilt not let me lower fall,
And none can higher fly.

MLA

Cowper, William. “True and False Comforts.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/cowper/209/.

Chicago

Cowper, William. “True and False Comforts.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/cowper/209/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by William Cowper