A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard,
Luke 13:6–9Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
Words: Charles Wesley, Hymns and Sacred Poems 1749.
Music: Millennium, from the Plymouth Collection, by Henry W. Beecher, 1855 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tune:
The Lord of earth and sky,
The God of ages praise,
Who reigns enthroned on high,
Ancient of endless days,
Who lengthens out our trial here,
And spares us yet another year.
Barren and withered trees,
We cumbered long the ground,
No fruit of holiness
On our dead souls was found:
Yet doth He us in mercy spare
Another, and another year.
When justice bared the sword,
To cut the fig tree down,
The pity of our Lord,
Cried, Let it still alone
;
The Father mild inclines His ear,
And spares us yet another year.
Jesus, Thy speaking blood
From God obtained the grace
Who therefore hath bestowed
On us a longer space;
Thou didst on our behalf appear,
And lo, we see another year!
Then dig about our root,
Break up the fallow ground,
And let our gracious fruit
To Thy great praise abound;
O let us all Thy praise declare,
And fruit unto perfection bear!