Book 1, Hymn 75 · John Newton · Public-domain words
As once for Jonah, so the Lord
Book 1, Hymn 75 · John Newton
The words
1
Stanza 1. As once for Jonah, so the LordTo soothe and cheer my mournful hours,Prepared for me a pleasing gourd,Cool was its shade, and sweet its flow’rs.
2
Stanza 2. To prize his gift was surely right;But through the folly of my heart,It hid the Giver from my sight,And soon my joy was changed to smart.
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Stanza 3. While I admired its beauteous form,Its pleasant shade and graceful fruit;The LORD, displeased, sent forth a worm,Unseen, to prey upon the root.
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Stanza 4. I trembled when I saw it fade,But guilt restrained the murm’ring word;My folly I confessed, and prayed,Forgive my sin, and spare my gourd.
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Stanza 5. His wondrous love can ne’er be told,He heard me and relieved my pain;His word the threat’ning worm controlled,And bid my gourd revive again.
6
Stanza 6. Now, Lord, my gourd is mine no more,’Tis thine, who only couldst it raise;The idol of my heart before,Henceforth shall flourish to thy praise.
Olney Hymns (1779), Book 1, Hymn 75. John Newton. Public domain. CCEL transcription with modernized spelling. www.praylock.com/olney-hymns/1-75
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.
