The Bitter Waters

I

Bitter indeed the waters are
Which in this desert flow;
Though to the eye they promise fair,
They taste of sin and woe.

II

Of pleasing draughts I once could dream;
But now, awake, I find
That sin has poison’d every stream,
And left a curse behind.

III

But there’s a wonder-working wood,
I’ve heard believers say,
Can make these bitter waters good,
And take the curse away.

IV

The virtues of this healing tree
Are known and prized by few:
Reveal the secret, Lord, to me,
That I may prize it too.

V

The cross on which the Saviour died
And conquer’d for his saints,
This is the tree by faith applied,
Which sweetens all complaints.

VI

Thousands have found the bless’d effect,
Nor longer mourn their lot;
While on his sorrows they reflect,
Their own are all forgot.

VII

When they, by faith, behold the cross,
Though many griefs they meet,
They draw a gain from every loss,
And find the bitter sweet.