My soul once had its plenteous years

Plenty in a time of dearth  by John Newton


 * My soul once had its plenteous years,
 * And throve, with peace and comfort filled,
 * Like the fat kine and ripened ears,
 * Which Pharaoh in his dream beheld.


 * With pleasing frames and grace received,
 * With means and ordinances fed;
 * How happy for a while I lived,
 * And little feared the want of bread.


 * But famine came and left no sign,
 * Of all the plenty I had seen;
 * Like the dry ears and half-starved kine,
 * I then looked withered, faint and lean.


 * To Joseph the Egyptians went,
 * To Jesus I made known my case;
 * He, when my little stock was spent,
 * Opened his magazine of grace.


 * For he the time of dearth foresaw,
 * And made provision long before;
 * That famished souls, like me, might draw
 * Supplies from his unbounded store.


 * Now on his bounty I depend,
 * And live from fear of dearth secure,
 * Maintained by such a mighty friend,
 * I cannot want till he is poor.


 * O sinners hear his gracious call!
 * His mercy's door stands open wide,
 * He has enough to feed you all,
 * And none who come shall be denied.