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John Newton - The Gourd
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As once for Jonah, so the Lord
To soothe and cheer my mournful hours,
Prepared for me a pleasing gourd,
Cool was its shade, and sweet its flow`rs. 

To prize his gift was surely right;
But through the folly of my heart,
It hid the Giver from my sight,
And soon my joy was changed to smart. 

While I admired its beauteous form,
Its pleasant shade and graceful fruit;
The Lord, displeased, sent forth a worm,
Unseen, to prey upon the root. 

I trembled when I saw it fade,
But guilt restrained the murm`ring word;
My folly I confessed, and prayed,
Forgive my sin, and spare my gourd. 

His wondrous love can ne`er be told,
He heard me and relieved my pain;
His word the threat`ning worm controlled,
And bid my gourd revive again. 

Now, Lord, my gourd is mine no more,
`Tis thine, who only couldst it raise;
The idol of my heart before,
Henceforth shall flourish to thy praise.
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