Text: "By Forty Days' and Nights' Temptation"

Grace and peace, everyone!

I wrote this Lenten text for the stately and somber tune NEUMARK. See what you think.

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1. By forty days' and nights' temptation
Fasting in lonely wilderness,
Thou, Jesus, Manna of salvation,
Strengthened Thy soul to feed and bless;
May we be free from Satan's snare
Ever in fasting and in prayer.

2. How could the Christ be born so lowly?
How could a rock give water sweet?
Thirsting, we drink from fountain holy,
Hungering for Thy life, we eat
That we might live by ev'ry word
That cometh from Thy mouth, O Lord.

3. As with mankind in Thee forgiven,
Thy fingerprints were drawn on high;
Thy precious life was sent from Heaven
Sinners to heal and sanctify---
Jesus, Messiah, Thee we laud,
Savior, Redeemer, Word, and God.

4. What use are earthly fame and glory?
Power and gold, what end they serve?
All these shall fade before the story
Of our Creator's boundless love;
May we adore the Holy One
And worship Him, our God, alone.

5. Thus, as the angels came to serve Thee
When Thy temptation, Christ, was done,
May we, Thy children learn to love Thee
Till with the saints, the battle won,
We may adore our Great High Priest
At the eternal wedding feast.

(c) 2023 Anna Bendiksen