William Cowper 8,6,8,6 EPHRAIM repenting. 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 shall 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. |