The Cyber Hymnal ‎#11910

11910. Once A Woman Silent Stood

1 Once a woman silent stood
While Jesus sat at meat;
From her eyes she poured a flood,
To wash His sacred feet:
Shame and wonder, joy and love,
All at once possessed her mind,
That she e’er so vile could prove,
Yet now forgiveness find.

2 "How came this vile woman here?
Will Jesus notice such?
Sure, if He a prophet were,
He would disdain her touch!"
Simon thus, with scornful heart,
Slighted one whom Jesus loved,
But her Savior took her part,
And thus his pride reproved.

3 "If two men in debt were bound,
One less, the other more;
Fifty, or five hundred pound,
And both alike were poor;
Should the lender both forgive,
When he saw them both distressed;
Which of them would you believe,
Engaged to love him best?"

4 "Surely he who much did owe,"
The Pharisee replied;
Then our Lord, “By judging so,
Thou dost for her decide:
Simon, if like her you knew,
How much you forgiveness need;
You like her had acted too,
And welcomed Me indeed!

5 "When the load of sin is felt,
And much forgiveness known;
Then the heart of course will melt,
Though hard before as stone:
Blame not then, her love and tears,
Greatly she in debt has been:
But I have removed her fears,
And pardoned all her sin."

6 When I read this woman’s case,
Her love and humble zeal;
I confess, with shame of face,
My heart is made of steel;
Much has been forgiv’n to me,
Jesus paid my heavy score,
What a creature must I be,
That I can love no more!

Text Information

• First Line: Once a woman silent stood
• Title: Once A Woman Silent Stood
• Author: John Newton
• Meter: 76.76 77.76
• Language: English
• Source: Olney Hymns (London, W. Oliver, 1779), Book 1
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: AMSTERDAM
• Meter: 76.76.77.76
• Key: F Major or modal
• Source: James Nares, Foundery Collection, 1742
• Copyright: Public Domain