Sin has a thousand pleasing charms

1 Sin has a thousand pleasing charms,
Which flatter to preserve from harms;
She richly gilds her pleasing baits,
And calls her trash delicious sweets.

2 Young men and maidens, rich and poor,
Are pleased with her deceptive ore;
There’s scarce an eye that views the light,
But she can charm by day or night.

3 Nor are the vessels of the Lord
Free from the chirpings of this bird,
Her craft and spleen she’ll make them feel,
And make them like a drunkard reel.

4 Her nature’s serpentine indeed;
Her strength could make a Samson yield;
Nor David could against her stand,
When David’s God withheld his hand.

5 Good God! what can a mortal do,
With such a cursèd, artful foe?
Let grace divine my soul defend,
Nor let me to this monster bend.

6 [Work in me, Lord, to will and do,
My way to Zion to pursue;
And while I tread the thorny road,
Teach me to lean upon my God.]

Source: A Selection of Hymns for Public Worship. In four parts (10th ed.) (Gadsby's Hymns) #620