Hear, Lord, the song of praise and prayer, <br />In heaven thy dwelling-place, <br />From infants, made the public care, <br />And taught to seek thy face! <br /> <br />Thanks for thy word and for thy day; <br />And grant us, we implore, <br />Never to waste in sinful play <br />Thy holy Sabbaths more. <br /> <br />Thanks that we hear,--but oh! impart <br />To each desires sincere, <br />That we may listen with our heart, <br />And learn as well as hear. <br /> <br />For if vain thoughts the minds engage <br />Of elder far than we, <br />What hope that at our heedless age <br />Our minds should e'er be free? <br /> <br />Much hope, if thou our spirits take <br />Under thy gracious sway, <br />Who canst the wisest wiser make, <br />And babes as wise as they. <br /> <br />Wisdom and bliss thy word bestows, <br />A sun that ne'er declines; <br />And be thy mercies showered on those <br />Who placed us where it shines.<br /><br />William Cowper<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/hymn-for-the-use-of-the-sunday-school-at-olney/
