William Cowper

Here you will find the Poem Olney Hymn 11: Jehovah Our Righteousness of poet William Cowper

Olney Hymn 11: Jehovah Our Righteousness

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 forever mine.