Olney Hymns (1840)/Book 1/Hymn 107

107.
Zaccheus.—Luke, xix, 1—6.

1 Zaccheus climb'd the tree,
And thought himself unknown;
But how surprised was he
When Jesus call'd him down!
The Lord beheld him, though conceal'd,
And by a word his power reveal'd.

2 Wonder and joy at once
Were painted in his face;
"Does he my name pronounce,
And does he know my case?
Will Jesus deign with me to dine?
Lord, I, with all I have, are thine."

3 Thus, where the gospel's preach'd,
And sinners come to hear,
The hearts of some are reach'd
Before they are aware:
The word directly speaks to them,
And seems to point them out by name.

4 'Tis curiosity
Oft brings them in the way,
Only the man to see
And hear what he can say;
But how the sinner starts to find
The preacher knows his inmost mind!

5 His long-forgotten faults
Are brought again in view,
And all his secrets thoughts
Reveal'd in public too.
Though compass'd with a crowd about,
The searching word has found him out.

6 While thus distressing pain
And sorrow fill his heart,
He hears a voice again,
That bids his fears depart,
Then like Zaccheus he is blest,
And Jesus deigns to be his guest.