Hymns and Devotions for Daily Worship ‎#296

296. Jonah's Lament

1. As once for Jonah, so for me,
To soothe and cheer my mournful hours,
Prepared for me a leafy tree;
Cool was its shade, and sweet its flow'rs.

2. To prize his gift was surely right,
But through the folly of my heart,
It hid the Giver from my sight,
And soon my joy was changed to smart.

3. While I admired its beauteous form,
Its pleasant shade, and grateful fruit,
The Lord, displeased, sent forth a worm,
Unseen, to prey upon the root.

4. Though trembling when I saw it fade,
Restrained my tongue from bursting free;
My folly I confessed, and prayed,
Forgive my sin and spare my tree.

5. His wondrous love can ne’er be told;
He heard me and relieved my pain,
Yet no more did those leaves unfold,
Nor did the tree revive again.

6. Now, Lord, the tree is mine no more,
’Tis thine, who only could it raise;
The idol of my heart no more,
Henceforth shall give way to thy praise.

Text Information

• First Line: As once for Jonah, so for me
• Title: Jonah's Lament
• Author: John Newton (1779)
• Meter: 8.8.8.8
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2024
• Scripture:
  Jonah 4:6-7
• Topic: Ordinary Time: Week 20
• Notes: Text by John Newton, from Olney Hymns (1779), alt.

Tune Information

• Name: BOURBON
• Arranger: Louise McAllister (1958)
• Meter: 8.8.8.8
• Incipit: 51134 3171
• Key: G Major or modal
• Notes: American tune BOURBON, from Lewis Freeman’s The Beauties of Harmony (1814), arr. by American composer Louise McAllister, as in The Pilgrim Hymnal (1958).