Scripture Verse

I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that Thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as Thou hast said. Judges 6:37

Introduction

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John Newton (1725–1807)

Words: John New­ton, Ol­ney Hymns (Lon­don: W. Ol­iv­er, 1779), Book 1, num­ber 23. Gi­de­on’s fleece.

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

If you know where to get a bet­ter pho­to of Gould,

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John E. Gould (1821–1875)

Lyrics

The signs which God to Gideon gave,
His holy sovereignty made known;
That He alone has power to save,
And claims the glo­ry as His own.

The dew which first the fleece had filled,
When all the earth was dry around;
Was from it afterwards withheld,
And only fell upon the ground.

To Israel thus the heavenly dew
Of saving truth was long restrained;
Of which the Gentiles nothing knew,
But dry and desolate remained.

But now the Gentiles have received
The balmy dew of Gos­pel peace;
And Israel, who His Spi­rit grieved,
Is left a dry and empty fleece.

This dew still falls at His command,
To keep His chosen plants alive;
They shall, tho’ in a thirsty land,
Like willows by the waters thrive.

But chiefly when His people meet,
To hear His word and seek His face;
The gentle dew, with influence sweet,
Descends and nourishes their grace.

But ah! what numbers still are dead,
Tho’ under means of grace they lie!
The dew still falling round their head,
And yet their heart untouched and dry.

Dear Sav­ior, hear us when we call,
To wrestling prayer an answer give;
Pour down Thy dew upon us all,
That all may feel, and all may live.