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The lion that on Sampson roared

Book 1, Hymn 24 · John Newton · Public-domain words

The words

  1. Stanza 1. The lion that on Sampson roared,And thirsted for his blood;With honey afterwards was stored,And furnished him with food.

  2. Stanza 2. Believers, as they pace along,With many lions meet;But gather sweetness from the strong,And from the eater, meat.

  3. Stanza 3. The lions rage and roar in vain,For Jesus is their shield;Their losses prove a certain gain,Their troubles comfort yield.

  4. Stanza 4. The world and Satan join their strength,To fill their souls with fears;But crops of joy they reap at length,From what they sow in tears.

  5. Stanza 5. Afflictions make them love the word,Stir up their hearts to prayer;And many precious proofs afford,Of their Redeemer’s care.

  6. Stanza 6. The lions roar but cannot kill,Then fear them not, my friends,They bring us, though against their will,The honey JESUS sends.

Olney Hymns (1779), Book 1, Hymn 24. John Newton. Public domain. CCEL transcription with modernized spelling. www.praylock.com/olney-hymns/1-24

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.

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