Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs ‎#LXXXII

LXXXII. Tree of Good Fruit

1 When all the virtues of the wood,
Impartially we trace;
The apple tree, as rare, and good,
First claims the highest place:
Beauteous, and rare, it stands admir'd,
Amongst a thousand trees;
Its fragrance, fruit, and shade desir'd,
To quicken, feed, and please.

2 Just so, excelling heav'n and earth,
Is my beloved seen
Amongst the sons of royal birth,
The sons of God or men:
Above them all he stands alone,
Pre-eminent and rare;
The Father's first begotten Son,
None may with him compare.

3 He as the man of God's right hand,
Is all perfection seen;
Whilst angels charg'd with folly stand,
And heav'n's declar'd unclean.
When blasted ev'ry tree beside,
Still he affords a shade;
A safe asylum for his bride,
Which love eternal made.

4 His fragrant name our hearts shall cheer,
As ointments poured forth;
More than the names which angels bear
Or men of highest worth.
Unsav'ry all the sons we prove,
Their worth no more can see;
The fragrance of eternal love
Comes forth, dear Lamb, from thee.

5 Thy fruits, thy wisdom, love and pow'r,
Are pefect evermore;
Whilst all beside are green and sour,
Or rotten at the core.
Live thou, of all the sons admir'd,
The only just and good;
As stands the apple tree desir'd,
In the unfruitful wood.

Text Information

• First Line: When all the virtues of the wood
• Title: Tree of Good Fruit
• Author: James Relly
• Meter: C. M.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1792
• Scripture:
  Jeremiah 17:8
  ;
  Revelation 22:2-3
• Notes: Public Domain.

Tune Information

(No tune information)