O God, whose favorable eye

O God, whose favorable eye

Author: William Cowper
Published in 22 hymnals

Representative Text

1 O God, whose favorable eye
The sin-sick soul revives;
Holy and heavenly is the joy,
Thy shining presence gives.

2 This hypocrites have ne'er believed,
They judge with graceless hearts;
Swelled with their pride, they are deceived,
By Satan's wily arts.

3 Unholy, selfish joys are theirs,
And while they boast their light,
And seem to soar above the stars,
They're plunging into night.

4 Lulled in a soft and formal sleep,
They sin and yet rejoice,
Were they indeed the Savior's sheep,
They sure would hear his voice?

5 Be mine the comforts that reclaim
The soul from Satan's power;
That make me blush for what I am,
And hate my sin the more.

6 'Tis joy enough, my All in All,
At thy dear feet to lie;
Thou wilt not let me lower fall
And none can higher fly.

The Hartford Selection of Hymns from the most approved authors, 1799

Author: William Cowper

William Cowper (pronounced "Cooper"; b. Berkampstead, Hertfordshire, England, 1731; d. East Dereham, Norfolk, England, 1800) is regarded as one of the best early Romantic poets. To biographers he is also known as "mad Cowper." His literary talents produced some of the finest English hymn texts, but his chronic depression accounts for the somber tone of many of those texts. Educated to become an attorney, Cowper was called to the bar in 1754 but never practiced law. In 1763 he had the opportunity to become a clerk for the House of Lords, but the dread of the required public examination triggered his tendency to depression, and he attempted suicide. His subsequent hospitalization and friendship with Morley and Mary Unwin provided emotional st… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: O God, whose favorable eye
Author: William Cowper
Meter: 8.6.8.6
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 22 of 22)

A Selection of Hymns #d204

General Collection of Hymns, Original and Selected, for Use of Christians #d231

Page Scan

Hymns for Christian Melody #435

Page Scan

Hymns, Original and Selected, for the Use of Christians. (5th ed. corr.) #212

Hymns, Original and Selected, for the use of Christians #d176

Hymns, Original and Selected, for the Use of Christians. 8th ed. #d195

Page Scan

Select Hymns, The Third Part of Christian Psalmody. 3rd ed. #aa47

Page Scan

Select Hymns #47

The American Seaman's Hymn Book #d152

Page Scan

The Baptist Hymn Book #1103

TextPage Scan

The Hartford Selection of Hymns from the Most Approved Authors #CCXXXVI

TextPage Scan

The Hartford Selection of Hymns #CCXXXVI

Page Scan

The Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs of the Rev. Isaac Watts, D. D. #D47

TextPage Scan

The Voice of Praise #673

Village Hymns #185

Page Scan

Village hymns for social worship, selected and original #185

Page Scan

Village hymns for social worship, selected and original #185

Page Scan

Village Hymns for Social Worship, Selected and Original #185

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us