The Covenant

Melody -

William Cowper, 1779, from Olney Hymns, vol., 1, hymn 71

The Lord proclaims his grace abroad!
Behold, I change your hearts of stone;
Each shall renounce his idol god,
And serve, henceforth, the Lord alone.

2. My grace, a flowing stream, proceeds
To wash your filthiness away;
Ye shall abhor your former deeds,
And learn my statutes to obey.

3. My truth the great design insures,
I give myself away to you;
You shall be mine, I will be yours,
Your God unalterably true.

4. Yet not unsought, or unimplored,
The plenteous grace shall I confer;
No - your whole hearts shall seek the Lord,
I'll put a praying spirit there.

5. From the first breath of life divine,
Down to the last expiring hour;
The gracious work shall all be mine,
Begun and ended in my pow'r.

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