Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, OLNEY HYMNS: 12. EPHRAIM REPENTING, by WILLIAM COWPER



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OLNEY HYMNS: 12. EPHRAIM REPENTING, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: My god, till I received thy stroke
Last Line: "he shall not seek in vain."
Subject(s): Ephraim (bible)


Jer. xxxi. 18-20.

MY God, till I received thy stroke,
How like a beast was I!
So unaccustomed to the yoke,
So backward to comply.

With grief my just reproach I bear;
Shame fills me at the thought,
How frequent my rebellions were,
What wickedness I wrought.

Thy merciful restraint I scorned,
And left the pleasant road;
Yet turn me, and I shall be turned!
Thou art the Lord my God.

"Is Ephraim banished from my thoughts,
Or vile in my esteem?
"No," saith the Lord, "with all his faults,
I still remember him."

"Is he a dear and pleasant child?"
"Yes, dear and pleasant still;
Though sin his foolish heart beguiled,
And he withstood my will.

"My sharp rebuke has laid him low,
He seeks my face again;
My pity kindles at his woe,
He shall not seek in vain."





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