The Cyber Hymnal ‎#1885

1885. God Gives His Mercies to Be Spent

1. God gives His mercies to be spent;
Your hoard will do your soul no good.
Gold is a blessing only lent,
Repaid by giving others food.

2. The world’s esteem is but a bribe,
To buy their peace you sell your own;
The slave of a vainglorious tribe,
Who hate you while they make you known.

3. The joy that vain amusements give,
O! sad conclusion that it brings!
The honey of a crowded hive,
Defended by a thousand stings.

4. ’Tis thus the world rewards the fools
That live upon her treacherous smiles:
She leads them, blindfold, by her rules,
And ruins all whom she beguiles.

5. God knows the thousands who go down
From pleasure into endless woe;
And with a long despairing groan
Blaspheme their Maker as they go.

6. Oh fearful thought! be timely wise;
Delight but in a Savior’s charms,
And God shall take you to the skies,
Embraced in everlasting arms.

Text Information

• First Line: God gives His mercies to be spent
• Title: God Gives His Mercies to Be Spent
• Author: William Cowper (1779)
• Meter: LM
• Language: English
• Source: Olney Hymns (London: W. Oliver, 1779)
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: HOLBORN HILL
• Composer: Anonymous
• Meter: LM
• Incipit: 33343 32111 12344
• Key: F Major
• Source: St. Alban's Tune Book
• Copyright: Public Domain