Scripture Verse

Mary took a pound of spikenard ointment, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment. John 12:3

Introduction

Words: Sa­rah E. Hen­shaw, 1878.

Music: Be­ra John E. Gould, 1849 (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
Sarah E. Henshaw (1822–1894)

Lyrics

illustration
Mary Magdalene’s Box of Very Precious Ointment
James Tissot (1836–1902)

Lord, when in Simon’s house of yore,
Thou with Thy friends didst sit at meat,
Mary the precious spikenard bore,
And poured it at Thy sacred feet.

Like incense sweet, the perfume rare,
Rose through the house, and sought the skies;
And Thou didst own with blessing there
A woman’s loving sacrifice.

So unto Thee, O Lord, this day,
A year of labor here we bring;
So at Thy feet the gift we lay;
Accept, O Lord, the offering.