Balaam's Wish

How blest the righteous are

When they resign their breath!

No wonder Balaam wished to share

In such a happy death.

Oh! let me die, said he,

The death the righteous do;

When life is ended let me be

Found with the faithful few.

The force of truth how great!

When enemies confess,

None but the righteous whom they hate,

A solid hope possess.

But Balaam's wish was vain,

His heart was insincere;

He thirsted for unrighteous gain,

And sought a portion here.

He seemed the Lord to know,

And to offend him loth;

But Mammon proved his overthrow,

For none can serve them both.

May you, my friends, and I,

Warning from hence receive;

If like the righteous we would die,

To choose the life they live.

Olney Hymn # 20, vol. 1.