Religion Is the Chief Concern

Religion is the chief concern
Of mortals here below:
May I its great importance learn
Its sovereign virtue know!

More needful this than glittering wealth
Or aught the world bestows;
Nor reputation, food nor health,
Can give us such repose.

Religion should our thoughts engage,
Amidst our youthful bloom;
’Twill fit us for declining age,
And for the awful tomb.

O may my heart, by grace renewed,
Be my Redeemer’s throne;
And be my stubborn will subdued,
His government to own!

Let deep repentance, faith, and love
Be joined with godly fear;
And all my conversation prove
My heart to be sincere.

Let lively hope my soul inspire;
Let warm affections rise;
And may I wait with strong desire
To mount above the skies!

Author: John Newton

Year: 1779

This hymn text first appeared in the Olney Hymns collection (1779) co-authored by John Newton and William Cowper. It is one of Newton's contributions (often numbered as Hymn 1 in Book 2 or similar). No strong alternate attributions exist.