1 Jesus, where'er your people meet,
there they behold your mercy seat;
where'er they seek you, you are found,
and ev'ry place is hallowed ground.
2 For you, within no walls confined,
are dwelling in the humble mind;
such ever bring you where they come,
and going, take you to their home.
3 Dear Shepherd of your chosen few,
your former mercies here renew;
here to our waiting hearts proclaim
the sweetness of your saving name.
4 Here may we prove the pow'r of pray'r
to strengthen faith and sweeten care,
to teach our faint desires to rise,
and bring all heav'n before our eyes.
5 Lord, we are few, but you are near;
nor short your arm, nor deaf your ear;
O rend the heav'ns, come quickly down,
and make a thousand hearts your own.
Source: Trinity Psalter Hymnal #167
William Cowper (pronounced "Cooper"; b. Berkampstead, Hertfordshire, England, 1731; d. East Dereham, Norfolk, England, 1800) is regarded as one of the best early Romantic poets. To biographers he is also known as "mad Cowper." His literary talents produced some of the finest English hymn texts, but his chronic depression accounts for the somber tone of many of those texts. Educated to become an attorney, Cowper was called to the bar in 1754 but never practiced law. In 1763 he had the opportunity to become a clerk for the House of Lords, but the dread of the required public examination triggered his tendency to depression, and he attempted suicide. His subsequent hospitalization and friendship with Morley and Mary Unwin provided emotional st… Go to person page >
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