As once for Jonah, so the Lord

by John Newton

The gourd by John Newton

As once for Jonah, so the Lord

To soothe and cheer my mournful hours,

Prepared for me a pleasing gourd,

Cool was its shade, and sweet its flow'rs.

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.

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.

I trembled when I saw it fade,

But guilt restrained the murm'ring word;

My folly I confessed, and prayed,

Forgive my sin, and spare my gourd.

His wondrous love can ne'er be told,

He heard me and relieved my pain;

His word the threat'ning worm controlled,

And bid my gourd revive again.

Now, Lord, my gourd is mine no more,

'Tis thine, who only couldst it raise;

The idol of my heart before,

Henceforth shall flourish to thy praise.