STUDY / LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE / HYMNS

To keep the lamp alive Dependance

William Cowper printed it in 1779 in Olney Hymns, Book III, no. 74, under Matthew 26:33.

WRITTEN BY

William Cowper 1731–1800

PRINTED

1779 Olney Hymns · no. 74

METRE

Short Metre 6.6.8.6 · 6 stanzas

WRITTEN ON

Matthew 26:33 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

AMONG THE SCRIPTURES

The stanzas at the centre; around them, every book its heading and its echoes come from, Old Testament on the left and New on the right. Choose a stanza or a book.

a line echoes this verse its heading or an echo comes from here

STANZA I

To keep the lamp alive

With oil we fill the bowl;

’Tis water makes the willow thrive,

And grace that feeds the soul.

Where Cowper found it

Cowper printed the hymn under Matthew 26:33. The line that comes closest to it is marked.

Peter said to Him, “Even if all fall away on account of You, I never will.” MATTHEW 26:33 · BEREAN STANDARD BIBLE READ MATTHEW 26

Beware of Peter’s word, Nor confidently say, “I never will deny thee, LORD,” But grant I never may . 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 74. Point at a tick to see the hymn; click it to open that hymn.

NO. 74 · WILLIAM COWPER · THIS HYMN To keep the lamp alive

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