The Cyber Hymnal ‎#2624

2624. He Sat to Watch o'er Customs Paid

1. He sat to watch o’er customs paid,
A man of scorned and hard’ning trade;
Alike the symbol and the tool
Of foreign masters’ hated rule.

2. But grace within his breast had stirred;
There needed but the timely word;
It came, true Lord of souls! from Thee,
That royal summons, Follow Me.

3. Enough, when Thou wert passing by
To hear Thy voice, to meet Thine eye;
He rose, responsive to the call,
And left his task, his gains, his all.

4. O wise exchange! with these to part
And lay up treasure in Thy heart;
With twofold crown of light to shine
Amid Thy servants’ foremost line!

5. Come, Savior, as in days of old;
Pass where the world has strongest hold,
And faithless care and selfish greed
Are thorns that choke the holy seed.

6. Who keep Thy gifts, O bid them claim
The steward’s, not the owner’s name;
Who yield all up for Thy dear sake,
Let them of Matthew’s wealth partake.

Text Information

• First Line: He sat to watch o'er customs paid
• Title: He Sat to Watch o'er Customs Paid
• Author: William Bright (1889)
• Meter: LM
• Language: English
• Source: Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1889
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: GLOUCESTER
• Composer: Edward Hodges (1841)
• Meter: LM
• Incipit: 13375 72354 36554
• Key: F Major
• Source: Hallelujah, 1841
• Copyright: Public Domain