Broad Is the Road

Broad is the road that leads to death,
And thousands walk together there;
But wisdom shows a narrower path,
With here and there a traveler.

“Deny thyself, and take thy cross,”
Is the Redeemer’s great command;
Nature must count her gold but dross,
If she would gain this heav’nly land.

The fearful soul that tires and faints,
And walks the ways of God no more,
Is but esteemed almost a saint,
And makes his own destruction sure.

Lord, let not all my hopes be vain
Create my heart entirely new;
Which hypocrites could ne’er attain,
Which false apostates never knew.

Author: Isaac Watts

Year: 1707

This is Hymn 97 from Isaac Watts' Hymns and Spiritual Songs (1707), Book 1. The text matches the original wording exactly, including the distinctive final stanza about hypocrites and apostates.