When Joseph his brethren beheld

Joseph made known to his Brethren by John Newton


 * When Joseph his brethren beheld,
 * Afflicted and trembling with fear;
 * His heart with compassion was filled,
 * From weeping he could not forbear.
 * Awhile his behavior was rough,
 * To bring their past sin to their mind;
 * But when they were humbled enough,
 * He hasted to show himself kind.


 * How little they thought it was he,
 * Whom they had ill treated and sold!
 * How great their confusion must be,
 * As soon as his name he had told!
 * "I am Joseph, your brother, he said,
 * And still to my heart you are dear,
 * You sold me, and thought I was dead,
 * But God, for your sakes, sent me here."


 * Though greatly distressed before,
 * When charged with purloining the cup;
 * They now were confounded much more,
 * Not one of them durst to look up.
 * "Can Joseph, whom we would have slain.
 * Forgive us the evil we did?
 * And will he our households maintain?
 * O this is a brother indeed!"


 * Thus dragged by my conscience, I came,
 * And laden with guilt, to the Lord;
 * Surrounded with terror and shame,
 * Unable to utter a word.
 * At first he looked stern and revere,
 * What anguish then pierced my heart!
 * Expecting each moment to hear
 * The sentence, "Thou cursed, depart!"


 * But O! what surprise when he spoke,
 * While tenderness beamed in his face;
 * My heart then to pieces was broke,
 * O'erwhelmed and confounded by grace:
 * "Poor sinner, I know thee full well,
 * By thee I was sold and was slain;
 * But I died to redeem thee from hell,
 * And raise thee in glory to reign.


 * I am JESUS, whom thou hast blasphemed,
 * And crucified often afresh;
 * But let me henceforth be esteemed,
 * Thy brother, thy bone, and thy flesh:
 * My pardon I freely bestow,
 * Thy wants I will fully supply;
 * I'll guide thee and guard thee below,
 * And soon will remove thee on high.


 * Go, publish to sinners around,
 * That they may be willing to come,
 * The mercy which now you have found,
 * And tell them that yet there is room."
 * O, sinners, the message obey!
 * No more vain excuses pretend;
 * But come, without farther delay,
 * To Jesus our brother and friend.