The Cyber Hymnal ‎#11917

11917. Bestow, Dear Lord, Upon Our Youth

1 Bestow, dear Lord, upon our youth
The gift of saving grace;
And let the seed of sacred truth
Fall in a fruitful place.
Grace is a plant, where’er it grows
Of pure and heav’nly root;
But fairest in the youngest shows,
And yields the sweetest fruit.

2 Ye careless ones, O hear betimes,
The voice of sovereign love!
Your youth is stained with many crimes,
But mercy reigns above.
True, you are young, but there’s a stone
Within the youngest breast,
Or half the crimes which you have done
Would rob you of your rest.

3 For you the public prayer is made,
Oh! join the public prayer!
For you the secret tear is shed,
O shed yourselves a tear!
We pray that you may early prove
The Spirit’s power to teach;
You cannot be too young to love
That Jesus, whom we preach.

Text Information

• First Line: Bestow, dear Lord, upon our youth
• Title: Bestow, Dear Lord, Upon Our Youth
• Author: William Cowper
• Language: English
• Source: Olney Hymns (London, W. Oliver, 1779), Book 2
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: I SEE THEE STANDING
• Composer: Anonymous
• Key: E♭ Major
• Copyright: Public Domain