Oh how I love Thy holy Word, <br />Thy gracious covenant, O Lord! <br />It guides me in the peaceful way; <br />I think upon it all the day. <br /> <br />What are the mines of shining wealth, <br />The strength of youth, the bloom of health! <br />What are all joys compared with those <br />Thine everlasting Word bestows! <br /> <br />Long unafflicted, undismay'd, <br />In pleasure's path secure I stray'd; <br />Thou mad'st me feel thy chast'ning rod, <br />And straight I turned unto my God. <br /> <br />What though it pierced my fainting heart, <br />I bless'd Thine hand that caused the smart: <br />It taught my tears awhile to flow, <br />But saved me from eternal woe. <br /> <br />Oh! hadst Thou left me unchastised, <br />Thy precepts I had still despised; <br />And still the snare in secret laid <br />Had my unwary feet betray'd. <br /> <br />I love Thee, therefore, O my God, <br />And breathe towards Thy dear abode; <br />Where, in Thy presence fully blest, <br />Thy chosen saints for ever rest.<br /><br />William Cowper<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/afflictions-sanctified-by-the-word/
