#17 Come, Thou Fount

 (Part of a series singing through the hymnbook I grew up with: Great Hymns of the Faith)

This hymn is one of my lifetime favorites. I especially like the reference to Ebenezer — from I Samuel 7:12 — which many modern hymnals try to remove from the lyrics. As the Old Testament tells the Jews, we are to teach our children the stories, not compensate for them not knowing the stories.

1

Come, Thou Fount of ev’ry blessing, Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;

Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for songs of loudest praise.

Teach me some melodious sonnet Sung by flaming tongues above;

Praise the mount – I’m fixed upon it – Mount of Thy redeeming love.

2

Here I raise mine Ebenezer – Hither by Thy help I’m come;

And I hope by Thy good pleasure Safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger Wand’ring from the fold of God;

He to rescue me from danger Interposed His precious blood

3

O to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be!

Let Thy goodness like a fetter Bind my wand’ring heart to Thee;

Prone to wander – Lord, I feel it – Prone to leave the God I love;

Here’s my heart – O take and seal it, Seal it for thy courts above.