You help make Hymnary.org possible. More than 10 million people from 200+ countries found hymns, liturgical resources and encouragement on Hymnary.org in 2025, including you. Every visit affirms the global impact of this ministry.

If Hymnary has been meaningful to you this year, would you take a moment today to help sustain it? A gift of any size—paired with a note of encouragement if you wish—directly supports the server costs, research work and curation that keep this resource freely available to the world.

Give securely online today, or mail a check to:
Hymnary.org
Calvin University
3201 Burton Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Thank you for your partnership, and may the hope of Advent fill your heart.

Click here to donate to Hymnary.org I have already donated. Please don't show this to me again
Text:A Closer Walk
Author:Cowper
Tune:MANOAH
Composer:Haydn

160. A Closer Walk

1 O, for a closer walk with God!
A calm and heav'nly frame,
A light to shine upon the road
That leads me to the Lamb.

2 Return, O holy Dove! return,
Sweet Messenger of rest;
I hate the sins that made thee mourn,
And drove thee from my breast.

3 What peaceful hours I once enjoyed!
How sweet their mem'ry still!
But they have left an aching void
The world can never fill.

4 The dearest idol I have known,
Whate'er that idol be,
Help me to tear it from thy throne,
And worship only thee.

Text Information
First Line: O, for a closer walk with God!
Title: A Closer Walk
Author: Cowper
Language: English
Publication Date: 1908
Topic: Living His Life: Nearer to God
Notes: Public Domain.
Tune Information
Name: MANOAH
Composer: Haydn
Meter: C. M.
Key: A♭ Major
Notes: Public Domain.



Media
More media are available on the text authority and tune authority pages.

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us
It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. Ad revenue helps keep us running. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or getting Hymnary Pro to eliminate ads entirely and help support Hymnary.org.