Hymns, Selected and Original ‎#409

409. The wandering star, and fleeting wind

1 The wandering star, and fleeting wind,
Both represent th'unstable mind
The morning cloud and early dew,
Bring our inconstancy to view.

2 But cloud, and wind, and dew, and star,
Faint and imperfect emblems are;
Nor can there aught in nature be
So fickle and so false as we.

3 Our outward walk, and inward frame,
Scarce through a single hour the same;
We vow, and straight our vows forget,
And then these very vows repeat.

4 We sin forsake, to sin return;
Are hot, are cold, now freeze, now burn
In deep distress, then raptures feel,
We soar to heaven, then sink to hell.

5 With flowing tears, Lord, we confess
Our folly and unsteadfastness:
When shall these hearts more fixed be,
Fix'd by thy grace, and fix'd for thee?

Text Information

• First Line: The wandering star, and fleeting wind
• Meter: L. M.
• Publication Date: 1828
• Topic: Christian experience: Spiritual Declension; Complaining of Inconstancy
• Notes: Now Public Domain.

Tune Information

(No tune information)