Scripture Verse

My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God. Psalm 42:2

Introduction

Words: Will­iam Cow­per, Ol­ney Hymns (Lon­don: W. Ol­iv­er, 1779), Book 3, num­ber 61. My soul thirst­eth for God.

Music: Thirst­ing Hen­ry Ben­nett (1813–1868) (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of Ben­nett (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
William Cowper (1731–1800)

Lyrics

I thirst, but not as once I did,
The vain delights of earth to share;
Thy wounds, Emmanuel, all forbid,
That I should seek my pleasures there.

It was the sight of Thy dear cross,
First weaned my soul from earthly things;
And taught me to esteem as dross,
The mirth of fools and pomp of kings.

I want that grace that springs from Thee
That quickens all things where it flows;
And makes a wretched thorn, like me,
Bloom as the myrtle, or the rose.

Dear fountain of delight unknown!
No longer sink below the brim;
But overflow, and pour me down
A living, and life-giving stream!

For sure, of all the plants that share
The notice of Thy Fa­ther’s eye;
None proves less grateful to His care,
Or yields Him meaner fruit than I.