Scripture Verse

A brand plucked out of the fire. Zechariah 3:2

Introduction

portrait
Philip Doddridge
1702–1751

Words: Phi­lip Dodd­ridge, 1739.

Music: Ten­der Thought An­a­ni­as Da­vis­son, The Ken­tuc­ky Har­mo­ny 1816 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of Da­vis­son (head-and-shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els), would you ?

Lyrics

Arise, my tenderest thoughts, arise,
To torrents melt my streaming eyes;
And thou, my heart, with anguish feel
Those evils which thou canst not heal.

See human nature sunk in shame!
See scandals poured on Jesus’ name!
The Father wounded thro’ the Son;
The world abused, the soul undone!

See the short course of vain delight,
Closing in everlasting night;
In flames, that no abatement know,
Though briny tears forever flow.

My God, I feel the mournful scene!
My bowels yearn o’er dying men!
And fain my pity would reclaim
And snatch the firebrands from the flame.

But feeble my compassion proves,
And can but weep where most it loves;
Thine own all saving arm employ,
And turn these drops of grief to joy.