"The LORD said, 'Arise, anoint him, for this is he.’"

Dark were the days for Israel when
The Philistines laid waste their land;
God's arm indeed seemed shortened then,
Withdrawn His strong protecting hand.
The mighty Samson started well,
But lost the holy Spirit's power;
And Saul in disobedience fell,
And failed them in the needy hour.

But all the time God had in view
One who His purpose should fulfil-
A man of perfect heart and true,
Prepared by Him to do His will.
"Go now to Bethlehem," said the Lord,
"Anoint the one whom I shall name"-
And faithful Samuel, at God's word,
To Jesse's house at Bethlehem came.

And now the sons of Jesse stand
Before the prophet, one by one,
And Samuel, horn of oil in hand,
Waits to anoint the chosen son.
The seven pass by, of stature tall,
But still the oil he does not use;
God shows him that among them all
There is not one whom He can choose.

Is there no other? Yes, indeed,
The eighth remains; but what is he?
His duty is the sheep to feed-
That boy a king?-it cannot be!
"Send now and fetch him," Samuel said;
And soon the ruddy youth they bring:
The oil is poured upon his head,
And David is anointed king!

Man in the flesh, with all his might,
Has failed to do the will of God;
With truth, indeed, one well may write
Across his record, "Ichabod."
But God has now His Chosen One,
The One who, risen from the dead,
Is seated on His Father's throne,
O'er all things the exalted Head.

If asked the question, "What is man?"
There's many an answer might be given;
Yet all man's glory never can
Redeem or fit his soul for heaven.
And God would turn our longing gaze
From man down here, though great he be,
And, pointing to His Son, He says
With satisfaction, "THIS IS HE."

Just as the heart of Samuel turned
From Saul to God's well-chosen one,
So we through His great grace have learned
To love His well-beloved Son.
Though by the world despised, unknown,
We own Him now as King and Lord,
And long to join with all His own
To sing His praise with one accord.

And oh, what rapturous joy 'twill be
To see Him as He comes again,
In triumph and in victory,
O'er all the earth as King to reign!
Of David's line a Son is given,
And soon our hearts and lips shall sing,
With all on earth and all in heaven,
His praises, and acclaim Him King!

H. Wilson