Scripture Verse

Behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. Genesis 22:13

Introduction

portrait
Alexander R. Reinagle (1799–1877)

Words: Will­iam Cow­per, Ol­ney Hymns (Lon­don: W. Ol­iv­er, 1779), num­ber 6.

Music: Be­ati Im­ma­cu­la­ti Al­ex­an­der R. Rei­na­gle, Psalm Tunes for the Voice and Pi­ano­for­te, cir­ca 1836 (🔊 pdf nwc).

illustration
Abraham & Isaac on Mount Moriah
Hurlbut’s Story of the Bible, 1902

Lyrics

The saints should ne­ver be dismayed,
Nor sink in hopeless fear;
For when they least expect His aid,
The Sav­ior will appear.

This Abraham found: he raised the knife;
God saw, and said, Forbear!
Yon ram shall yield his meaner life;
Behold the victim there.

Once David seemed Saul’s certain prey;
But hark! the foe’s at hand;
Saul turns his arms another way,
To save th’invaded land.

When Jonah sank beneath the wave,
He thought to rise no more;
But God prepared a fish to save,
And bear him to the shore.

Blest proofs of power and grace divine,
That meet us in His Word!
May every deep felt care of mine
Be trusted with the Lord.

Wait for His seasonable aid,
And though it tarry, wait:
The promise may be long delayed,
But cannot come too late.