Book II · Hymn 93 · The Tamed Lion

John Newton

The tamed lion.
A Lion, though by nature wild,
The art of man can tame;
He stands before his keeper, mild,
And gentle as a lamb.
He watches, with submissive eye,
The hand that gives him food;
As if he meant to testify
A sense of gratitude.
But man himself, who thus subdues
The fiercest beasts of prey;
A nature, more unfeeling shows,
And far more fierce than they.
Though by the LORD preserved and fed,
He proves rebellious still;
And while he eats his Maker's bread,
Resists his holy will.
Alike in vain, of grace that saves,
Or threat'ning law he hears;
The savage scorns, blasphemes, and raves,
But neither loves nor fears.
O Savior! how thy wondrous pow'r
By angels is proclaimed!
When in thine own appointed hour,
They see this lion tamed.
The love thy bleeding cross displays,
The hardest heart subdues;
Here furious lions while they gaze,

Their rage and fierceness lose.
Isa 11:6

Yet are we but renewed in part,

The lion still remains;

LORD, drive him wholly from my heart,

Or keep him fast in chains.