Beauty For Ashes

"The spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because the Lord has anointed and qualified me

to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the

meek, the poor, and afflicted...

To grant consolation and joy to those who mourn

in Zion...to give them an ornament of beauty instead of ashes..."

Isaiah 61:1,3

Streamside

Daniel Gerhartz

I sing the love of God, my Father,

Whose Spirit abides within,

Who changes all my grief to gladness,

And pardons me all my sin.

Though clouds may lower, dark and dreary,

Yet He has promised to be near;

He gives me sunshine for my shadow,

And "beauty for ashes" here.

(Refrain)

He gives me joy in place of sorrow;

He gives me love that casts out fear

He gives me sunshine for my shadow,

And "beauty for ashes" here.

I sing the love of God, my Savior,

Who suffered upon the tree,

That, in the secret of His presence,

My bondage might freedom be.

He comes "to bind the brokenhearted";

He comes the fainting soul to cheer;

He gives me, "oil of joy" for mourning,

And "beauty for ashes" here.

I sing the beauty of the Gospel

That scatters, not thorns, but flowers,

That bid me scatter smiles and sunbeams

Wherever are lonely hours.

The "garment of His praise" it offers

For "heaviness of spirit" drear;

It gives me sunshine for my shadow

And "beauty for ashes" here.

"Crown of Beauty"

Daniel Gerhartz

"Beauty For Ashes"

(1889)

Lyrics and Music by

 John G. Crabbe

(1865-1924)