O For A Closer Walk With God
O for a Closer Walk with God
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.
Where is the blessedness I knew
When first I saw the Lord?
Where is the soul-refreshing view
Of Jesus and His Word?
Return, O holy Dove, return,
Sweet messenger of rest;
I hate the sins that made Thee mourn
And drove Thee from my breast.
The dearest idol I have known,
What e’er that idol be,
Help me to tear it from Thy throne
And worship only Thee.
So shall my walk be close with God,
Calm and serene my frame;
So purer light shall mark the road
That leads me to the Lamb.
MARTIN MADAN, the unsung inserter of alleluias in the hymn “Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise” (May 25), had an interesting part in this hymn as well. Madan’s cousin, the poet William Cowper, had tried suicide three times and had been hospitalized twice for insanity. Through Madan’s influence, Cowper became a Christian and recovered his sanity.
Cowper soon became friends with John Newton, the author of “Amazing Grace” (March 17). Besides their mutual love of poetry, they both had a sense of humor and both loved to take long walks. It was the best therapy possible for Cowper. Cowper walked at a fast pace with Newton but also loved to stroll slowly through the little town of Olney, where he visited the poor and chatted with the children.
One morning at the Newtons’ house, Cowper was reading the passage that says Enoch walked “in close fellowship with God” (Genesis 5:24). It inspired him to write this hymn.
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you.
James 4:7-8
From the book
