Book 2, Hymn 48 · John Newton · Public-domain words
Once, while we aimed at Zion’s songs
Book 2, Hymn 48 · John Newton
The words
1
Stanza 1. Once, while we aimed at Zion’s songs,A sudden mourning checked our tongues!Then we were called to sow in tears,The seeds of joy for future years.
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Stanza 2. Oft as that memorable hourThe changing year brings round again;We meet to praise the love and pow’rWhich heard our cries, and eased our pain.
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Stanza 3. Come, ye who trembled for the ark,Unite in praise for answered prayer!Did not the LORD our sorrows mark?Did not our sighing reach his ear?
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Stanza 4. Then smaller griefs were laid aside,And all our cares summed up in one;“Let us but have thy word, we cried,In other things, thy will be done.”
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Stanza 5. Since he has granted our request,And we still hear the gospel voice;Although by many trials pressed,In this we can, and will rejoice.
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Stanza 6. Though to our lot temptations fall,Though pain and want, and cares annoy;The precious gospel sweetens all,And yields us med’cine, food, and joy.
Olney Hymns (1779), Book 2, Hymn 48. John Newton. Public domain. CCEL transcription with modernized spelling. www.praylock.com/olney-hymns/2-48
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.
