Olney Hymns (1840)/Book 1/Hymn 13

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13.
The Bitter Waters.—Exod. xv, 23—25.

1 Bitter indeed the waters are  Which in this desert flow; Though to the eye they promise fair,  They taste of sin and woe.
2 Of pleasing draughts I once could dream;  But now, awake, I find That sin has poison'd every stream,  And left a curse behind.
3 But there's a wonder-working wood,  I've heard believers say, Can make these bitter waters good,  And take the curse away.
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4 The virtues of this healing tree  Are known and prized by few: Reveal the secret, Lord, to me,  That I may prize it too.
5 The cross on which the Saviour died  And conquer'd for his saints, This is the tree by faith applied,  Which sweetens all complaints.
6 Thousands have found the bless'd effect,  Nor longer mourn their lot; While on his sorrows they reflect,  Their own are all forgot.
7 When they, by faith, behold the cross,  Though many griefs they meet, They draw a gain from every loss,  And find the bitter sweet.

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