Olney Hymns (1840)/Book 1/Hymn 34

34.
Queen of Sheba.—1 Kings, x, 1—9.

1 From Sheba a distant report
Of Solomon's glory and fame
Invited the queen to his court,
But all was outdone when she came:
She cried with a pleasing surprise,
When first she before him appear'd,
"How much what I see with my eyes
Surpasses the rumour I heard!"

2 When once to Jerusalem come
The treasure and train she had brought,
The wealth she possessed at home
No longer had place in her thought:
His house, his attendants, his throne,
All struck her with wonder and awe;
The glory of Solomon shone
In every object she saw.

3 But Solomon most she admired,
Whose spirit conducted the whole,—
His wisdom, which God had inspired,
His bounty, and greatness of soul.
Of all the hard questions she put
A ready solution he show'd,—
Exceeded her wish and her suit,
And more than she ask'd him bestow'd.

4 Thus I, when the gospel proclaim'd
The Saviour's great name in my ears,
The wisdom for which he is famed,
The love which to sinners he bears,
I long'd, and I was not denied,
That I in his presence might bow;
I saw, and transported I cried,
"A greater than Solomon thou!"

5 My conscience no comfort could find,
By doubt and hard questions opposed;
But he restored peace to my mind,
And answer'd each doubt I proposed.
Beholding me poor and distress'd,
His bounty supplied all my wants;
My pray'r could have never express'd
So much as this Solomon grants.

6 I heard and was slow to believe,
But now with my eyes I behold
Much more than my heart could conceive,
Or language could ever have told.
How happy thy servants must be
Who always before thee appear!
Vouchsafe, Lord, this blessing to me,
I find it is good to be here.