Hymn: The Aged sufferer waited long
- Title:
- First Line: The Aged sufferer waited long
- Hymnal: A Book of Hymns for Public and Private Devotion (15th ed.)
- Denomination: Unitarians and Universalists
- Publisher: Ticknor and Fields
- Publication Date: 1866
Author(s)
- Author Name: Stephen Greenleaf Bulfinch
- Born: 1809
- Died: 1870
- Gender: M
Full Text
The aged sufferer waited long Upon Bethesda's brink; Till hopes, once rising warm and strong, Began in fears to sink; And heavy were the sighs he drew, And fervent was his prayer, For he, with safety full in view, Still languished helpless there. His hope grew dim; but one was nigh Who saw the sufferer's grief; That gentle voice, that pitying eye, Gave promise of relief. Each pang that human weakness knows Obeyed that powerful word; He spake, and lo! the sick arose, Rejoicing in his Lord. Father of Jesus, when oppressed With grief and pain we lie, And, longing for Thy heavenly rest, Despair to look on high, O, may the Saviour's words of peace Within the wounded heart Bid every doubt and suffering cease, And strength and joy impart!