Ho! ye that thirst, approach the spring where living waters flow: Free to that sacred fountain all without a price may go. | How long to streams of false delight will ye in crowds repair? How long your strength and substance waste on trifles, light as air? | My stores afford those rich supplies that health and pleasure give: Incline your ear, and come to me; the soul that hears shall live. | With you a cov’nant I will make, that ever shall endure; The hope which gladdened David’s heart my mercy hath made sure. | Behold he comes! your leader comes, with might and honour crowned; A witness who shall spread my name to earth’s remotest bound. | 134 See! nations hasten to his call from ev’ry distant shore; Isles, yet unknown, shall bow to him, and Isr’el’s God adore. | Seek ye the Lord while yet his ear is open to your call; While offered mercy still is near, before his footstool fall. | Let sinners quit their evil ways, their evil thoughts forego: And God, when they to him return, returning grace will show. | He pardons with o’erflowing love: for, hear the voice divine! My nature is not like to yours, nor like your ways are mine: | But far as heav’n’s resplendent orbs beyond earth’s spot extend, As far my thoughts, as far my ways, your ways and thoughts transcend. | And as the rains from heav’n distil, nor thither mount again, But swell the earth with fruitful juice, and all its tribes sustain: | So not a word that flows from me shall ineffectual fall; But universal nature prove obedient to my call. | With joy and peace shall then be led the glad converted lands; The lofty mountains then shall sing, the forests clap their hands. | Where briers grew ‘midst barren wilds, shall firs and myrtles spring; And nature, through its utmost bounds, eternal praises sing. | |