The Hymnbook ‎#520

520. God of the Prophets!

1 God of the prophets! Bless the prophets' sons;
Elijah's mantle o'er Elisha cast;
Each age its solemn task may claim but once;
Make each one nobler, stronger than the last.

2 Anoint them prophets! Bold and eloquent,
Thy whispered word from housetops to proclaim,
Evil to lash with love's pure chastisement,
The captive soul to free in Jesus' name.

3 Anoint them priests! Strong intercessors they
For pardon, and for charity and peace!
O might, with them, the world, though gone astray,
Pass into Christ's pure life of sacrifice!

4 Anoint them kings! Aye, kingly kings, O Lord:
Anoint them with the spirit of Thy Son:
Theirs, not a jeweled crown, a bloodstained sword;
Theirs, by sweet love, for Christ a kingdom won.

5 Make them apostles! Heralds of Thy cross;
Forth may they go to tell all realms Thy grace;
Inspired by Thee, may they count all but loss,
And stand at last with joy before Thy face.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: God of the prophets! Bless the prophets' sons
• Title: God of the Prophets!
• Author (Stanza 2): John Underwood Stephens (1955)
• Author (Stanzas1, 3, 4, 5): Denis Wortman (1884; alt., 1955)
• Meter: 10. 10. 10. 10.
• Publication Date: 1955
• Scripture:
  1 Samuel 10:26
  ;
  2 Kings 2:13-15
• Topic: Ministry, The; Ordination
• Copyright: Stanza 2 copyright, 1955, by John Ribble.

Tune Information

• Name: TOULON
• Meter: 10. 10. 10. 10.
• Key: F Major
• Source: Genevan Psalter, 1551