The Cyber Hymnal ‎#12173

12173. When Joshua, By God's Command

1 When Joshua, by God’s command,
Invaded Canaan’s guilty land;
Gibeon, unlike the nations round,
Submission made and mercy found.

2 Their stubborn neighbors who, enraged,
United war against them waged,
By Joshua soon were overthrown,
For Gibeon’s cause was now his own.

3 He, from whose arm they ruin feared,
Their leader and ally appeared;
An emblem of the Savior’s grace,
To those who humbly seek His face.

4 The men of Gibeon wore disguise,
And gained their peace by framing lies;
For Joshua had no power to spare,
If he had known from whence they were.

5 But Jesus invitations sends,
Treating with rebels as His friends;
And holds the promise forth in view,
To all who for His mercy sue.

6 Too long His goodness I disdained,
Yet went at last and peace obtained;
But soon the noise of war I heard,
And former friends in arms appeared.

7 Weak in myself for help I cried,
"Lord, I am pressed on every side;
The cause is Thine: They fight with me,
But every blow is aimed at Thee."

Text Information

• First Line: When Joshua, by God’s command
• Title: When Joshua, By God's Command
• Author: John Newton
• Meter: LM
• Language: English
• Source: Olney Hymns (London, W. Oliver, 1779), Book 1
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: Alternate tune: BAPTISM by Peter C. Lutkin

Tune Information

• Name: ALMÄCHTITER GOTT
• Composer: Johann Crüger (1640)
• Meter: LM
• Key: D Major
• Copyright: Public Domain