The Upward Path

Come

walk in wis­dom’s plea­sant ways

For all her paths are peace;

The nar­row way that leads to God

Where toil and tri­als cease.

Then choose to­day the nar­row way

Where peace and safe­ty lie;

In all thy ways ac­know­ledge Him

Who watch­es from on high.

There’s dan­ger in the wid­en­ing way

That lead­eth dow­nward still;

Touch not the poi­son of the cup

The tempt­er waits to fill.

The head is dull

the heart is weak

The hands are fee­ble

too.

When al­co­hol with burn­ing breath

His vic­tim doth pur­sue.

From mock­ing wine come wick­ed­ness

And weak­ness

want and woe;

While sin

and suf­fer­ing

and shame

And sor­row

wait be­low.

Then choose

O choose the up­ward way

Of plea­sant­ness and peace;

The Lord shall then di­rect thy paths

Till days on earth shall cease.