STUDY / LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE / HYMNS

O How I love thy holy word Afflictions sanctified by the word

William Cowper printed it in 1779 in Olney Hymns, Book III, no. 17, under Psalm 119:71.

WRITTEN BY

William Cowper 1731–1800

PRINTED

1779 Olney Hymns · no. 17

METRE

Long Metre 8.8.8.8 · 6 stanzas

WRITTEN ON

Psalm 119:71 the verse printed above it

The hymn, and the Scripture in it

All 6 stanzas as Cowper printed them, with the verses their lines echo beside them. Point at a line to join it to its verse; click to read the passage.

SHARED WORDSthe verse shares the line's wording ECHOproposed by an AI model, confirmed by a separate check Not the author's own notes

Where Cowper found it

Cowper printed the hymn under Psalm 119:71. The line that comes closest to it is marked.

It was good for me to be afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes. PSALM 119:71 · BEREAN STANDARD BIBLE READ PSALM 119

Long unafflicted, undismayed, In pleasures path secure I strayed; Thou mad’st me feel thy chast’ning rod, And strait I turned unto my GOD. STANZA III

Its place in the book

Book III of the hymn book, “On the progress and changes of the spiritual life”, holds these hymns in this order: 106 hymns. This is number 17. Point at a tick to see the hymn; click it to open that hymn.

NO. 17 · WILLIAM COWPER · THIS HYMN O How I love thy holy word

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