The subtle spider often weaves

The words

1. 1

   Stanza 1. The subtle spider often weavesHis unsuspected snares,Among the balmy flow’rs and leaves,To which the bee repairs.

2. 2

   Stanza 2. When in his web he sees one hang,With a malicious joy,He darts upon it with his fang,To poison and destroy.

3. 3

   Stanza 3. How welcome then, some pitying friend,To save the threatened bee!The spider’s treach’rous web to rend,And set the captive free!

4. 4

   Stanza 4. My soul has been in such a case,When first I knew the LORD,I hasted to the means of grace,Where sweets I knew were stored.

5. 5

   Stanza 5. Little I thought of danger near,That soon my joys would ebb;But ah! I met a spider there,Who caught me in his web.

6. 6

   Stanza 6. Then Satan raised his pois’nous sting,And aimed his blows at me;While I, poor helpless trembling thing,Could neither fight nor flee.

7. 7

   Stanza 7. But O! the Savior’s pitying eyeRelieved me from despair;He saw me at the point to dieAnd broke the fatal snare.

8. 8

   Stanza 8. My case his heedless saints should warn,Or cheer them if afraid;May you from me your danger learn,And where to look for aid.

Olney Hymns (1779), Book 2, Hymn 92. John Newton. Public domain. CCEL transcription with modernized spelling. www.praylock.com/olney-hymns/2-92