Olney Hymns (1840)/Book 1/Hymn 39

39.
The borrowed Axe.—2 Kings, vi, 5, 6.

1 The prophets' sons in times of old,
Though to appearance poor,
Were rich without possessing gold,
And honour'd though obscure.

2 In peace their daily bread they eat,
By honest labour earn'd;
While daily at Elisha's feet
They grace and wisdom learn'd.

3 The prophet's presence cheer'd their toil,
They watch'd the words he spoke,
Whether they turn'd the furrow'd soil,
Or fell'd the spreading oak.

4 Once as they listen'd to his theme
Their conference was stopp'd;
For one beneath the yielding stream
A borrow'd axe had dropp'd.

5 "Alas! it was not mine," he said;
"How shall I make it good?"
Elisha heard, and when he pray'd,
The iron swam like wood.

6 If God in such a small affair
A miracle performs,
It shows his condescending care
Of poor unworthy worms.

7 Though kings and nations in his view
Are but as motes and dust,
His eyes and ear are fix'd on you
Who in his mercy trust.

8 Not one concern of ours is small
If we belong to him.
To teach us this, the Lord of all
Once made the iron swim.