The Cyber Hymnal ‎#9002

9002. Before Elisha's Gate

1 Before Elisha’s gate
The Syrian leper stood;
But could not brook to wait,
He deemed himself too good:
He thought the prophet would attend,
And not to him a message send.

2 Have I this journey come,
And will he not be seen?
I were as well at home,
Would washing make me clean:
Why must I wash in Jordan’s flood?
Damascus’ rivers are as good.

3 Thus by his foolish pride
He almost missed a cure;
Howe’er at length he tried,
And found the method sure:
Soon as his pride was brought to yield,
The leprosy was quickly healed.

4 Leprous and proud as he,
To Jesus thus I came,
From sin to set me free,
When first I heard His fame:
Surely, thought I, my pompous train
Of vows and tears will notice gain.

5 My heart devised the way
Which I supposed He’d take;
And when I found delay,
Was ready to go back:
Had he some painful task enjoined,
I to performance seemed inclined.

6 When by his word he spake,
"That fountain opened see;
’Twas opened for thy sake,
Go wash, and thou art free":
O! how did my proud heart gainsay,
I feared to trust this simple way.

7 At length I trial made,
When I had much endured;
The message I obeyed,
I washed, and I was cured:
Sinners, this healing fountain try,
Which cleansed a wretch so vile as I.

Text Information

• First Line: Before Elisha’s gate
• Title: Before Elisha's Gate
• Author: John Newton
• Meter: 66.66.88
• Language: English
• Source: Olney Hymns (London, W. Oliver, 1779), Book 1
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: Alternate tune: ARTHUR'S SEAT by John Goss

Tune Information

• Name: BELSIZE
• Composer: James William Elliott (1892)
• Meter: 66.66.88
• Key: F Major or modal
• Copyright: Public Domain