O How I love thy holy word

The words

1. 1

   Stanza 1. O How I love thy holy word,Thy gracious covenant, O LORD!It guides me in the peaceful way,I think upon it all the day.

2. 2

   Stanza 2. What are the mines of shining wealth,The strength of youth, the bloom of health!What are all joys compared with thoseThine everlasting word bestows!

3. 3

   Stanza 3. Long unafflicted, undismayed,In pleasures path secure I strayed;Thou mad’st me feel thy chast’ning rod,And strait I turned unto my GOD.

4. 4

   Stanza 4. What though it pierced my fainting heart,I bless thine hand that caused the smart;It taught my tears awhile to flow,But saved me from eternal woe.

5. 5

   Stanza 5. O! hadst thou left me unchastised,Thy precept I had still despised;And still the snare in secret laid,Had my unwary feet betrayed.

6. 6

   Stanza 6. I love thee therefore O my God,And breathe towards thy dear abode;Where in thy presence fully blest,Thy chosen saints for ever rest.

Olney Hymns (1779), Book 3, Hymn 17. William Cowper. Public domain. CCEL transcription with modernized spelling. www.praylock.com/olney-hymns/3-17