Scripture Verse

Those that seek Me early shall find Me. Proverbs 8:17

Introduction

portrait
Henry T. Smart (1813–1879)

Words: Ben­ja­min Bed­dome (1717–1795). Pub­lished post­hu­mous­ly in Hymns Adapt­ed to Pub­lic Wor­ship (Lon­don: Bu­rton & Briggs, 1818), num­ber 720. Ear­ly Pie­ty Re­com­mend­ed.

Music: Re­gent Square Hen­ry T. Smart, in Psalms and Hymns for Di­vine Wor­ship (Lon­don: 1867) (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of Bed­dome (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

Lovely youth, with ar­dent zeal,
Wisdom’s flow­ery path pur­sue;
There shall you sweet plea­sures feel,
Ever spring­ing, ev­er new:
Sacred peace and joy com­bined,
Hopes and com­forts all re­fined.

Earth with all its boast­ed store,
Cannot such de­lights im­part,
All its joys are mean and poor,
Giving ang­uish to the heart:
From its va­ni­ties re­tire,
Seek the Lord with strong de­sire.

Give to Him your ear­ly bloom,
Make His coun­sels your de­light,
Let His tem­ple be your home,
Love and serve Him day and night:
Then shall you His bless­ings prove,
Feel the trans­ports of His love.