James Montgomery

The invitation of Wisdom. -- Prov. viii.

To us the voice of Wisdom cries,

Hearken, ye children, and be wise;

Better than gold the fruit I bear,

Rubies to me may not compare,

Happy the man who daily waits

To hear me, watching at my gates;

Wretched is he who scorns my voice,

Death and destruction are his choice.

To them that love me I am kind;

And those who seek me early find;

My Son, give me thine heart, -- and learn

Wisdom from folly to discern.

The Lord possess'd me, ere of old,

His hand the firmament unroll'd;

Before He bade the mountains stand,

Or pour'd the ocean round the land.

Rejoicing then before his throne,

From everlasting I was known;

Rejoicing still, as in His sight,

With men on earth is my delight.

Mark, the beginning of my law,

-- Fear ye the Lord with sacred awe;

Mark the fulfilment of the whole,

Love ye the Lord with all your soul.

We hear, we learn; may we obey;

Jesus, the life, the truth, the way,

Wisdom and righteousness, we see,

Grace and salvation all in Thee.