Herald, in the Wilderness

Herald

in the wil­der­ness

Breaking up the road

Sinking mount­ains

rais­ing plains

For the path of God;

Prophet

to the mul­ti­tudes

Calling to re­pent

In the way of right­eous­ness

Unto Is­ra­el sent;

Messenger

God’s chos­en one

Foremost to pro­claim

Proffered ti­tles pass­ing by

Pointing to the Lamb.

Captive

for the word of truth

Boldly wit­ness­ing;

Then in Her­od’s dun­geon cave

Faint and lang­uish­ing;

Martyr

sac­ri­ficed to sin

At that feast of shame;

As his life fore­showed the Lord

In his death the same—

Holy Je­sus

when He heard

Went apart to pray:

Thus may we our les­son take

From his saint to­day.