The Prodigal

Representative Text

1 Now for a wondrous song,
(Keep distance, ye profane;
Be silent, each unhallowed tongue,
Nor turn the truth to bane,)

2 The prodigal’s returned –
The rebel bold and base,
That all his Father’s counsel spurned,
And long abused his grace.

3 What treatment since he came?
Love, tenderly expressed.
What robe is brought to hide his shame?
The best, the very best.

4 Rich food the servants bring;
Sweet music charms his ears;
See what a beauteous, costly ring
The beggar’s finger wears!

5 [Ye elder sons, be still;
Give no bad passion vent;
My brethren, ’tis our Father’s will,
And you must be content.

6 All that he has is yours!
Rejoice, then, not repine;
That love which all your state secures,
That love has altered mine.]

7 Dear Lord! are these thy ways?
If rebels thus are freed,
And favoured with peculiar grace,
Grace must be free indeed!

Source: A Selection of Hymns for Public Worship. In four parts (10th ed.) (Gadsby's Hymns) #219

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Author: J. Hart

Hart, Joseph, was born in London in 1712. His early life is involved in obscurity. His education was fairly good; and from the testimony of his brother-in-law, and successor in the ministry in Jewin Street, the Rev. John Hughes, "his civil calling was" for some time "that of a teacher of the learned languages." His early life, according to his own Experience which he prefaced to his Hymns, was a curious mixture of loose conduct, serious conviction of sin, and endeavours after amendment of life, and not until Whitsuntide, 1757, did he realize a permanent change, which was brought about mainly through his attending divine service at the Moravian Chapel, in Fetter Lane, London, and hearing a sermon on Rev. iii. 10. During the next two years ma… Go to person page >

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