LENTEN SONG:

FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS

He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto Him. Mark 1:13

Words: George Hunt Smyttan, in The Penny Post, March 1856. Smyttan (1822-1870) was rector of Hawksworth, Nottinghamshire, England. He died in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, and was buried in a pauper's grave.

Music: Heinlein (Aus der Tiefe rufe ich), Nürnbergisches Gesangbuch, 1676. Melody attributed to Martin Herbst (1654-1681); harmony by William Henry Monk (1823-1889).

Forty days and forty nights
Thou wast fasting in the wild;
Forty days and forty nights
Tempted, and yet undefiled.

Should not we Thy sorrow share
And from worldly joys abstain,
Fasting with unceasing prayer,
Strong with Thee to suffer pain?

Then if Satan on us press,
Jesus, Savior, hear our call!
Victor in the wilderness,
Grant we may not faint nor fall!

So shall we have peace divine:
Holier gladness ours shall be;
Round us, too, shall angels shine,
Such as ministered to Thee.

Keep, O keep us, Savior dear,
Ever constant by Thy side;
That with Thee we may appear
At the eternal Eastertide.

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