As once for Jonah, so the Lord

1 As once for Jonah, so the Lord
To soothe and cheer my mournful hours,
Prepared for me a pleasing gourd;
Its shade was cool, and sweet its flowers.

2 To prize His gift was surely right;
But through the folly of my heart,
It hid the Giver from my sight,
And soon my joy was changed to smart.

3 While I admired its beauteous form,
Its pleasant shade and graceful fruit;
The Lord, displeased, sent forth a worm,
Unseen, to prey upon the root.

4 I trembled when I saw it fade,
But guilt restrained the murmuring word;
My folly I confessed, and prayed,
Forgive my sin, and spare my gourd.

5 His wondrous love can ne’er be told,
He heard me and relieved my pain;
His word the threatening worm controlled,
And bid my gourd revive again.

6 Now, Lord, the gourd is mine no more,
’Tis Thine, who only couldst it raise;
The idol of my heart before,
Henceforth shall flourish to Thy praise.

Source: The Cyber Hymnal #11922

• MIDI file from The Cyber Hymnal #11922