Skip to content

Mary to her Savior’s tomb

Book 1, Hymn 117 · John Newton · Public-domain words

The words

  1. Stanza 1. Mary to her Savior’s tombHasted at the early dawn;Spice she brought, and sweet perfume,But the LORD, The loved, was gone.For awhile she weeping stood,Struck with sorrow and surprise;Shedding tears, a plenteous flood,For her heart supplied her eyes.

  2. Stanza 2. Jesus, who is always near,Though too often unperceivedCame, his drooping child to cheer,And enquired, Why she grieved?Though at first she knew him not,When he called her by her name,Then her griefs were all forgot,For she found he was the same.

  3. Stanza 3. Grief and sighing quickly fledWhen she heard his welcome voice;Just before she thought him dead,Now he bids her heart rejoice:What a change his word can make,Turning darkness into day!You who weep for Jesus’ sake;He will wipe your tears away.

  4. Stanza 4. He who came to comfort her,When she thought her all was lost;Will for your relief appear,Though you now are tempest–tossed:On his word your burden cast,On his love your thoughts employ;Weeping for awhile may last,But the morning brings the joy.

Olney Hymns (1779), Book 1, Hymn 117. John Newton. Public domain. CCEL transcription with modernized spelling. www.praylock.com/olney-hymns/1-117

About these words

John Newton lived from 1725 to 1807. These historical words are public domain.

This hymn belongs to the complete three-book collection first published in 1779.

The CCEL transcription modernizes spelling and some punctuation. Read this hymn at the source. Checked 23 October 2026.

No sheet music or recordings are included. This web collection is separate from the PrayLock iPhone app.

Begin with prayer.

Choose the apps that take your attention, and put prayer before them. PrayLock requires a Pro subscription.

Download on theApp Store
QR code linking to PrayLock on the App Store

On a computer? Scan with your iPhone camera to open PrayLock on the App Store.