Hymns for the Amusement of Children (1791)/Faith

by Christopher Smart

For works with similar titles, see Faith.

HYMN I.

FAITH.

The Father of the Faithful said,
     At God's first calling, "Here am I;"
Let us by his example sway'd,
     Like him submit, like him reply.

5 "Go take thy son, thine only son,
      "And offer him to God thy King."
The word was giv'n — the work begun,
      "The altar pile, the victim bring."

But lo! th'angelic voice above
      10 Bade the great Patriarch stop his hands;
"Know God is everlasting love,
      "And must revoke such harsh commands."

Then let us imitate the Seer,
      And tender, with compliant grace,
25 Ourselves, our souls, and children here,
      Hereafter in a better place.

 

Notes

1—12. See: Gen. 22:1—14 and Heb. 11:17. Abraham's offering of Isaac as sacrifice was regarded by St Paul as a great example of faith.

13—16. See: "And here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies , to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto thee" (The Prayer of oblation after Communion).