Scripture Verse

With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:3

Introduction

portrait
Matthew Wilks (1746–1829)

Words: Mat­thew Wilks, in A New Se­lect­ion of Se­ven Hun­dred Ev­an­ge­li­cal Hymns, ed­it­ed by John Do­bell (Mor­ris­town, New Jer­sey: Pe­ter A. John­son, 1810).

Music: Xa­vi­er Fran­cis H. Champ­neys, in Hymns An­cient and Mo­dern, 1875 (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
Francis H. Champneys (1848–1930)

Lyrics

Jesu’s pre­cious name ex­cels
Jordan’s streams, and Sa­lem’s wells;
Thirsty sin­ners, come and draw,
Quench the flames of Si­nai’s law.

Fearful sin­ners, come and try—
Draw and drink with in­ward joy;
Christ is fresh, and full, and free;
Sinners, come, who­e’er you be.

See the wa­ters spring­ing up,
To re­vive your lang­uid hope;
Fill your ves­sels, as it rolls,
And re­fresh your wea­ry souls.

Lo! the Spir­it now in­vites!
Lo! the hap­py Bride unites!
Jesus calls, be not afraid,
Lo! for you the well was made!

Justice made it in the Lamb,
Mercy grants it thro’ His name;
Faith re­ceives a full sup­ply;
Those who drink it can­not die.

Careless sin­ner, let me tell,
Not a drop is found in hell;
Not a drop to ease your smart,
Not a drop to cool your heart.

Haste you to the Lamb of God,
Seek sal­va­tion in His blood;
In it there is bound­less store,
For ten thou­sand thou­sands more.

Constant trib­utes let us bring,
For this soul re­fresh­ing spring;
Constant let our prais­es rise,
’Till we drink above the skies.