BETHESDA IS OPEN

“There is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.” John 5:2-4

Words: Rev. F. Den­i­son, in Wel­come Tid­ings: A New Col­lect­ion of Sac­red Songs for the Sun­day School, by Ro­bert Low­ry, W. How­ard Doane and Ira D. Sank­ey (New York: Big­low & Main, 1877), num­ber 10.

Music: W. How­ard Doane (MI­DI, score).

If you know F. Den­i­son’s full name, or where to get a pho­to of him, would you send us an e-mail? Thanks!
W. Howard Doane (1832-1915)
Courtesy of Denison University

Bethesda is open, the angel has come,
The Spirit is calling for thee;
The waters are troubled, behold, there is room;
Salvation through Jesus is free.

Refrain

Salvation is free, salvation is free,
Salvation through Jesus is free;
The waters are troubled, behold, there is room,
Bethesda is open for thee.

Come press to the waters while mercy is here,
Accept of a cleansing complete;
O, hear the entreaty, dismissing your fear;
Lo, judgment and mercy now meet.

Refrain

The house of Bethesda for sinners was built,
The pool is a fountain of love;
The waters are troubled for canceling guilt,
And still for our healing they move.

Refrain
The Pool of Bethesda, by Bartolomé Murillo (1617-1682)

08/11/2007 20:31:30