The Cyber Hymnal ‎#14558

14558. The Fig Tree Near The Wayside Showed

1 The fig tree near the wayside showed
Its bright leaves from afar,
But those green leaves, which looked so fair,
Now sere and blighted are.

2 Green leaves it had, but fruit had none;
Christ came and looked for fruit;
"Let none e’er eat of thee," He said;
It withered to the root.

3 "Have faith in God"—yon city now
Shines brightly in the sun;
Christ searches it; it shows much leaf,
But fruit of faith has none.

4 Soon Christ Himself will withered seem
By that proud city’s scorn;
But Passion-tide will lead Him forth
To a bright Easter morn.

4 "Have faith in God." Be not perplexed
By Calvary’s suffering;
From that dark winter Christ revives
To an eternal spring.

5 "Have faith in God"; that city proud—
That leafy, barren tree—
Will, by the lightnings of His Word,
Withered for ever be.

6 The hypocrite and evil man
May flourish in the breeze
Of wayside earthly fame; but God
Will blight all barren trees.

7 Root us in faith, make us bear fruit
Of holiness and love;
So may we ever flourish, Lord,
In paradise above.

8 To Father, Son and Holy Ghost
Eternal glory be;
O praise and bless with songs of joy
One God, and Persons Three.

Text Information

• First Line: The fig tree near the wayside showed
• Title: The Fig Tree Near The Wayside Showed
• Author: Christopher Wordsworth
• Meter: CM
• Language: English
• Source: The Holy Year (London: Rivingtons: 1862)
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: Alternate tunes: NEW BRITAIN from "Virginia Harmony"; NEW YORK TUNE from "The Sabbath Hymn and Tune Book"; PRIÈRE D'ESPRIT by W. C. Foster

Tune Information

• Name: OLD MARTYRS
• Meter: CM
• Key: d minor or modal
• Source: Psalms (Edinburgh, Scotland: 1615)
• Copyright: Public Domain