Book II · Hymn 22 · The Prayer of Jabez

John Newton

Jesus, who bought us with his blood,
And makes our souls his care;
Was known of old as Israel's GOD,
And answered Jabez' prayer.
Jabez! a child of grief! the name
Befits poor sinners well;
For Jesus bore the cross and shame,
To save our souls from hell.
Teach us, O Lord, like him, to plead
For mercies from above;
O come, and bless our souls indeed,
With light, and joy, and love.
The gospel's promised land is wide,
We fain would enter in;
But we are pressed, on every side,
With unbelief and sin.
Arise; O LORD, enlarge our coast,
Let us possess the whole;
That Satan may no longer boast
He can thy work control.
Oh, may thine hand be with us still,
Our Guide and Guardian be;
To keep us safe from every ill,
Till death shall set us free.
Help us on thee to cast our care,
And on thy word to rest;
That Israel's God, who heareth prayer,

Will grant us our request.