1 How long shall dreams of creature-bliss
Our flatt'ring hopes employ,
And mock our fond deluded eyes
With visionary joy?

2 How wretched they, that leave the Lord,
And from his word withdraw,
That lose his gospel from their sight
And wander from his law!

3 O thou eternal spring of good,
Whence living waters flow!
Let not our thirsty erring souls
To broken cisterns go.

4 Like characters inscrib'd in dust,
Are sinners borne away;
And all the treasures they can boast,
The portion of a day.