Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
James 1:22
Words: Daniel W. Whittle, 1880. Appeared in Gospel Hymns No. 4, by Ira D. Sankey et al. (New York: John Church and Biglow & Main, 1881). Some hymnals give the author as El Nathan, one of Whittle’s pseudonyms.
Music: St. Kjeld James McGranahan (🔊 pdf nwc).
Once more we come, God’s word to hear,
The word so pure and holy;
Now grant us, Lord, a listening ear,
A spirit meek and lowly;
For if we hear, and heed it not,
Refrain
We hear for condemnation;
For doers of the word,
we’re taught,
Are heirs of Christ’s salvation.
The life of God is in the word;
And whosoe’er believeth
The record there of Christ the Lord
Eternal life receiveth;
But if we hear, believing not,
Refrain
The word of God, by faith received,
Imparts regeneration;
And he who hath in Christ believed,
Lives out a new creation;
But if we hear, and do it not,
Refrain
So when the word of God we hear,
Let us be humbly pleading
The Holy Ghost to give us light,
As we the word are heeding;
But if we hear, and feel it not,
Refrain