OUR tongues were made to bless the Lord,
And not speak ill of men:
When others give a railing word,

We must not rail again.

Cross words and angry names require

To be chastised at school;

And he's in danger of hell-fire
That calls his brother fool.

But lips that dare be so profane
To mock, and jeer, and scoff
At holy things, or holy men,
The Lord shall cut them off.

When children, in their wanton play,
Served old Elisha so,

And bade the prophet go his way,
'Go up, thou bald head, go!'

God quickly stopp'd their wicked breath; And sent two raging bears,

That tore them limb from limb to death,
With blood, and groans, and tears.

Great God! how terrible art thou
To sinners e'er so young:

Grant me thy grace, and teach me how
To tame and rule my tongue.

And yet how wicked children dare
Abuse thy dreadful, glorious Name!
And when they're angry, how they swear,
And curse their fellows, and blaspheme!

How will they stand before thy face,
Who treated thee with such disdain,
While thou shalt doom them to the place
Of everlasting fire and pain?

Then never shall one cooling drop

To quench their burning tongues be given;
But I will praise thee here, and hope
Thus to employ my tongue in heaven.

My heart shall be in pain to hear
Wretches affront the Lord above:
'Tis that great God whose power I fear,
That heavenly Father whom I love.

If my companions grow profane,

I'll leave their friendship when I hear Young sinners take thy Name in vain,

And learn to curse, and learn to swear.