No strength of nature can suffice
Book 3, Hymn 62 · William Cowper · Public-domain words
No strength of nature can suffice
Book 3, Hymn 62 · William Cowper
The words
- 1
Stanza 1. No strength of nature can sufficeTo serve the LORD aright;And what she has, she misapplies,For want of clearer light.
- 2
Stanza 2. How long beneath the law I layIn bondage and distress!I toiled the precept to obey,But toiled without success.
- 3
Stanza 3. Then to abstain from outward sinWas more than I could do;Now, if I feel its pow’r within,I feel I hate it too.
- 4
Stanza 4. Then all my servile works were doneA righteousness to raise;Now, freely chosen in the Son,I freely choose his ways.
- 5
Stanza 5. What shall I do was then the word,That I may worthier grow?What shall I render to the LORD?Is my enquiry now.
- 6
Stanza 6. To see the Law by CHRIST fulfilled,And hear his pard’ning voice;Changes a slave into a child,And duty into choice.
Olney Hymns (1779), Book 3, Hymn 62. William Cowper. Public domain. CCEL transcription with modernized spelling. www.praylock.com/olney-hymns/3-62
About these words
William Cowper lived from 1731 to 1800. These historical words are public domain.
This hymn belongs to the complete three-book collection first published in 1779.
The CCEL transcription modernizes spelling and some punctuation. Read this hymn at the source. Checked 23 October 2026.
No sheet music or recordings are included. This web collection is separate from the PrayLock iPhone app.
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