Scripture Verse

I am the Lord, I change not. Malachi 3:6

Introduction

Words: Ben­ja­min Bed­dome (1717–1795). Pub­lished post­hu­mous­ly in Hymns Adapt­ed to Pub­lic Wor­ship (Lon­don: Bu­rton & Briggs, 1818), num­ber 21. The Chas­tis­ing God.

Music: Eag­ley James Walch, 1860 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of Bed­dome or Walch (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

Although Je­ho­vah changes not,
Nor e’er with­draws His love;
Yet if His pre­cepts are for­got,
He will His saints re­prove.

If they His ho­ly sta­tutes break,
He then as­sumes the rod;
And on their sins will ven­geance take,
For He’s a right­eous God.

But His com­pass­ions nev­er cease
His pro­mis­es are sure;
His mer­cy and His faith­ful­ness,
From age to age en­dure.