315
O for a Closer Walk!
Verse 1
O, for a closer walk with God!
A calm and heavenly frame,
A light to shine upon the road
That leads me to the Lamb.
A calm and heavenly frame,
A light to shine upon the road
That leads me to the Lamb.
Verse 2
Return, O holy Dove! return,
Sweet messenger of rest;
I hate the sins that made Thee mourn,
And drove Thee from my breast.
Sweet messenger of rest;
I hate the sins that made Thee mourn,
And drove Thee from my breast.
Verse 3
What peaceful hours I once enjoyed!
How sweet their memory still!
But they have left an aching void
The world can never till.
How sweet their memory still!
But they have left an aching void
The world can never till.
Verse 4
The dearest idol I have known,
Whate'er that idol be,
Help me to tear it from Thy throne,
And worship only Thee.
Whate'er that idol be,
Help me to tear it from Thy throne,
And worship only Thee.
Cowper's hymn, based on Psalm 42, expresses longing for deeper spiritual experience and communion with God.