From Sheba a distant report

Queen of SHEBA by John Newton


 * From Sheba a distant report
 * Of Solomon's glory and fame,
 * Invited the queen to his court,
 * But all was outdone when she came;
 * She cried, with a pleasing surprise,
 * When first she before him appeared,
 * "How much, what I see with my eyes,
 * Surpasses the rumor I heard!"


 * When once to Jerusalem come,
 * The treasure and train she had brought;
 * The wealth she possessed at home,
 * No longer had place in her thought:
 * His house, his attendants, his throne,
 * All struck her with wonder and awe;
 * The glory of Solomon shone,
 * In every object she saw.


 * But Solomon most she admired,
 * Whose spirit conducted the whole;
 * His wisdom, which God had inspired,
 * His bounty and greatness of soul;
 * Of all the hard questions she put,
 * A ready solution he showed;
 * Exceeded her with and her suit,
 * And more than she asked him bestowed.


 * Thus I when the gospel proclaimed
 * The Savior's great name in my ears,
 * The wisdom for which he is famed,
 * The love which to sinners he bears;
 * I longed, and I was not denied,
 * That I in his presence might bow;
 * I saw, and transported I cried,
 * "A greater than Solomon Thou!"


 * My conscience no comfort could find,
 * By doubt and hard questions opposed;
 * But He restored peace to my mind,
 * And answered each doubt I proposed:
 * Beholding me poor and distressed,
 * His bounty supplied all my wants;
 * My prayer could have never expressed
 * So much as this Solomon grants.


 * I heard, and was slow to believe,
 * But now with my eyes I behold,
 * Much more than my heart could conceive,
 * Or language could ever have told:
 * How happy thy servants must be,
 * Who always before thee appear!
 * Vouchsafe, LORD, this blessing to me,
 * I find it is good to be here.