The water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs. And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said,
Genesis 21:15–16Let me not see the death of the child.
And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.
Words: William Cowper, Olney Hymns (London: W. Oliver, 1779), Book 3, number 57. For the poor.
Music: Far and Near (Spazier) Johann K. Spazier (1761–1805) (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good picture of Spazier (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
When Hagar found the bottle spent,
And wept o’er Ishmael;
A message from the Lord was sent
To guide her to a well.
Should not Elijah’s cake and cruse
Convince us at this day,
A gracious God will not refuse
Provisions by the way?
His saints and servants shall be fed,
The promise is secure;
Bread shall be given them,
He has said,
Their water shall be sure.
Repasts far richer they shall prove
Than all earth’s dainties are;
’Tis sweet to taste a Savior’s love,
Though in the meanest fare.
To Jesus then your trouble bring,
Nor murmur at your lot;
While you art poor, and He is king,
You shall not be forgot.
