Master, Speak! Thy Servant Heareth

 

"When the Lord called, "Samuel!"  And he answered, "Here I am."
He ran to Eli and said, "Here I am,  for you called me."
Eli said, "I did not call you; lie down again."
So he went and lay down.

And the Lord called again, "Samuel!"  And Samuel arose 
 and went to Eli and said, "Here am I; you did call me."
Eli answered, I did not call, my son; lie down again."

Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the
word of the Lord was not yet revealed to him.

And the Lord called Samuel the third time.  And he went to Eli and said,
"Here I am, for you did call me."  Then, Eli perceived that the Lord was
calling the boy.  So, Eli said to Samuel, "Go lie down again.  And if
He calls you, you shall say, "Speak Lord,  for Your servant is listening."
So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

And the Lord came and stood and called as at other times. "Samuel! Samuel!" 
 Then Samuel answered, "Speak Lord, for Your servant is listening."
(1 Samuel 3:4-10)

Samuel Called By God

(1956)

Marc Chagall

(1887-1985)

Russian- Jewish Modernist painter

The Bible Etchings

Image courtesy/Georgetown Frame Shop

Master, speak!  Thy servant heareth,

Waiting for Thy gracious word,

Longing for Thy voice that cheereth;

Master! let it now be heard.

I am listening, Lord, for Thee:

What hast Thou to say to me?

Speak to me by name, O Master,

Let me know it is to me;

Speak, that I may follow faster

With a step more firm and free,

Where the Shepherd leads the flock,

In the shadow of the rock.

Master, speak!  Thou least and lowest,

Let me not unheard depart:

Master, speak!  For Thou knowest

All the yearning of my heart,

Knowest all its truest need;

Speak! and make me blest indeed.

Master, speak and make me ready,

When Thy voice is truly heard,

With obedience glad and steady

Still to follow every word.

I am listening, Lord, for Thee,

Master  speak,  O speak to me!

"Master, Speak!  Thy Servant Heareth"

(1869)
Ministry of Song
Frances Ridley Havergall
(1836-1879)
English poetess and hymn writer
Frances was a "bright but short lived

candle in English hymnody."