Hymn: Was it in vain that Jesus prayed

  • Title:
  • First Line: Was it in vain that Jesus prayed
  • 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

Was it in vain that Jesus prayed For those he came to save, When darkly o'er his path was laid The shadow of the grave? Hath Jesus loved and prayed in vain? O doubting heart, be still! Yet holds the Lord his glorious reign, Despite of wrong and ill. Though nations with their battle-cries Profane the Almighty's name, Though bigots to the offended skies Their own wild wrath proclaim,— Thousands, in every Christian land, Have never bowed the knee In worship to the idol-band Of strife and perfidy. And these are one;—though some may bend Before the Virgin's shrine, While others' prayers and thanks ascend, Father! alone at Thine,— Yet they are one; if through their hearts The soul of love be poured, As swells some strain of various parts, Yet all in sweet accord.

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