Hymns and Devotions for Daily Worship ‎#47b

47b. In Jordan's tide the baptist stands

1. In Jordan’s tide the Baptist stands,
Immersing the repenting Jews;
The Son of God the rite demands,
Nor dares the holy man refuse.
Jesus descends beneath the wave,
The emblem of his future grave.

2. O heav’ns and earth! your Maker lies
In floods concealed from human view.
Ye saints, behold him sink, and rise!
The great example is for you:
The great example while we read
Adorns and dignifies the deed.

3. But see, from yonder op’ning skies,
What floods of beamy radiance spread;
Dove-like, th’ eternal Spirit flies,
And lights on the Redeemer’s head.
Behold, ye saints, the pow’r divine
Around your Savior’s temples shine.

4. Yet hark! my soul, and wonder more,
What sounds are those that roll along!
Not like loud Sinai’s awful roar,
But soft and sweet as Gabriel’s song:
“This is my well-beloved Son.
I view well pleased what he has done.”

5. Thus the eternal Father spoke,
Who shakes Creation with his nod;
Through parting skies the accents broke
And bid us hear the Son of God.
Attend, ye nations! well you may.
Jehovah speaks! hear and obey!

6. Do not our hearts within us burn?
Are not our spirits all on flame?
Shall we against our Savior turn?
Shall we despise the sacred stream?
Such impious deeds let mortals shun;
Great God, we reverence your Son!

Text Information

• First Line: In Jordan's tide the baptist stands
• Author: John Fellows (1773)
• Meter: 8.8.8.8.8.8
• Publication Date: 2024
• Topic: Epiphany
• Source: Hymns on Believers' Baptism, 1773

Tune Information

(No tune information)