My God! till I received thy stroke

EPHRAIM repenting by William Cowper


 * My God! till I received thy stroke,
 * How like a beast was I!
 * So unaccustomed to the yoke,
 * So backward to comply.


 * With grief my just reproach I bear,
 * Shame fills me at the thought;
 * How frequent my rebellions were!
 * What wickedness I wrought!


 * Thy merciful restraint I scorned
 * And left the pleasant road;
 * Yet turn me, and I shall be turned,
 * Thou art the Lord my God.


 * Is Ephraim banished from my thoughts,
 * Or vile in my esteem?
 * No, saith the LORD, with all his faults,
 * I shall remember him.


 * Is he a dear and pleasant child?
 * Yes, dear and pleasant still;
 * Though sin his foolish heart beguiled,
 * And he withstood my will.


 * My sharp rebuke has laid him low,
 * He seeks my face again;
 * My pity kindles at his woe,
 * He shall not seek in vain.