The Refiner's Fire

1 The Refiner sat by the seven-fold fire,
AS he watched by the precious ore,
And He bent more close with a searching gaze,
As He heated it more and more,
For He knew the ore that could stand the test,
And He wanted the finest gold
For to mould as a crown for the King to wear,
Set with gems with a price untold.

Refrain:
He knew He had ore that could stand the test,
And He wanted the finest gold
To mould as a crown for the King to wear,
Set with gems with a price untold.

2 So He laid our gold in the flaming fire,
Though we fain would have said Him nay;
And He watched the dross that we had not seen,
And it melted and passed away,
And the gold grew brighter and yet more bright,
But our eyes were so dim with tears
That we saw but the fire, not the Master’s hand,
And we questioned with anxious fears. [Refrain]

3 Should we think it pleased such a loving heart
For to cause us a moment’s pain?
‘Tis not so, but that through the present cross
He should see an eternal gain.
So He waited there with a watchful eye,
And a love that is strong and sure;
And His gold did not suffer a bit more heat
Than was needed to make it pure. [Refrain]

Source: Revival Hymns: a Collection of New and Standard Hymns for Gospel and social meetings, Sunday schools and Young People's Societies #44

• MIDI file from The Joy Bells of Canaan or Burning Bush Songs No. 2 #37
  
• MIDI file from Revival Hymns: a Collection of New and Standard Hymns for Gospel and social meetings, Sunday schools and Young People's Societies #44