Hymns and Devotions for Daily Worship ‎#244

244. Feeding the Five Thousand

1. Beyond Bethsaida’s borders,
The weary Savior went
To rest with his disciples,
Before the day was spent,
But eager people hastened,
The Son of Man to seek;
The poor and heavy-laden
Desired to hear him speak.

2. With patient love He taught them,
Till shadows fell apace,
And all the people hungered
In that far desert place.
His heart with pity melted;
"How many loaves have ye?"
He said to the disciples,
And bade them go and see.

3. A little lad among them,
His loaves and fishes spared;
But Jesus blessed and broke them,
And all the bounty shared.
With only this provision,
Which Jesus gave away,
They fed the hungry thousands,
Beside the lake that day.

4. So bring your gifts to Jesus,
However poor and small;
Come, hasten now to bring them,
Don't shy to bring them all.
’Tis not the gifts we offer
That help the world today,
But Jesus’ blessing on them,
That sends them on their way.

Text Information

• First Line: Beyond Bethsaida's borders
• Title: Feeding the Five Thousand
• Author: Julia H. Johnston (1899)
• Meter: 7.6.7.6 D
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2024
• Scripture:
  John 6:5-6
• Topic: Ordinary Time: Week 12
• Notes: Text by American poet Julia H. Johnston, from Bible Study Songs (1899), alt.

Tune Information

• Name: FIVE THOUSAND
• Composer: Daniel B. Towner (1899)
• Meter: 7.6.7.6 D
• Incipit: 55317 132
• Key: D Major
• Notes: Tune FIVE THOUSAND by American composer-compiler Daniel B. Towner, from Bible Study Songs (1899), alt.