The words
Stanza 1. If the LORD our leader be,We may follow without fear;East or West, by land or sea,Home, with him, is everywhere;When from Esau Jacob fled,Though his pillow was a stone,And the ground his humble bed,Yet he was not left alone.
Stanza 2. Kings are often waking kept,Racked with cares on beds of state;Never king like Jacob slept.For he lay at heaven’s gate:Lo! he saw a ladder reared,Reaching to the heav’nly throne;At the top the Lord appeared,Spake and claimed him for his own.
Stanza 3. “Fear not, Jacob, thou art mine,And my presence with thee goes;On thy heart my love shall shine,And my arm subdue thy foes:From my promise comfort take;For my help in trouble call;Never will I thee forsake,’Till I have accomplished all.”
Stanza 4. Well does Jacob’s ladder suitTo the gospel throne of grace;We are at the ladder’s foot,Every hour, in every placeBy affirming flesh and blood,JESUS heav’n and earth unites;We by faith ascend to God,God to dwell with us delights.
Stanza 5. They who know the Savior’s name,Are for all events preparedWhat can changes do to them,Who have such a Guide and Guard?Should they traverse earth around,To the ladder still they come;Every spot is holy ground,God is there—and he’s their home,
Olney Hymns (1779), Book 1, Hymn 9. John Newton. Public domain. CCEL transcription with modernized spelling. www.praylock.com/olney-hymns/1-9
