Intemperance Punished and Pardoned; or, A Psalm for the Glutton and Drunkard

Verse 1

Vain man, on foolish pleasures bent, Prepares for his own punishment; What pains, what loathsome maladies, From luxury and lust arise!

Verse 2

The drunkard feels his vitals waste, Yet drowns his health to please his taste; Till all his active powers are lost, And fainting life draws near the dust.

Verse 3

The glutton groans, and loathes to eat, His soul abhors delicious meat; Nature, with heavy loads oppressed, Would yield to death to be released.

Verse 4

Then how the frighted sinners fly To God for help with earnest cry! He hears their groans, prolongs their breath, And saves them from approaching death.

Verse 5

No med'cines could effect the cure So quick, so easy, or so sure; The deadly sentence God repeals, He sends his sovereign word, and heals.

Verse 6

O may the sons of men record The wondrous goodness of the Lord! And let their thankful off'rings prove How they adore their Maker's love