Scripture Verse

Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth. 1 Samuel 3:10

Introduction

Words: John Ca­wood, in Cot­ter­ill’s Se­lect­ions, 1819.

Music: Men­don Ger­man tune, ar­ranged by Sam­uel Dy­er, Sup­ple­ment of Sam­uel Dy­er’s Third Edi­tion of Sac­red Mu­sic 1828 (🔊 pdf nwc).

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

illustration
Samuel Called by the Lord

Lyrics

In Israel’s fane, by silent night,
The lamp of God was burning bright;
And there, by viewless angels kept,
Samuel, the child, securely slept.

A voice unknown the stillness broke;
Samuel! it called, and thrice it spoke;
He rose; he asked whence came the word;
From Eli? No—it was the Lord.

Thus early called to serve his God,
In paths of right­eous­ness he trod;
Prophetic visions fired his breast,
And all the chosen tribes were blest.

Speak, Lord, and from our earliest days
Incline our hearts to love Thy ways;
Thy wakening voice hath reached our ear;
Speak Lord, to us; Thy servants hear.