The Sea of Galilee

Dear beautiful sight! Embosomed by hills,
How calmly reposes the Lakes!
I gaze, and my soul with rapture thrills
As the glorious scene my vision fills,
And holiest memories wake.
Oh lovely Sea
Of Galilee,
How oft my Redeemer hath looked on thee!

All other lakes in all other lands are denied
The honors that thou dost know:
Blossoms as radiant may fringe their side,
Fountains as sparkling may swell their tide,
But how hast the Jordan’s inflow;
More sacred yet,
Gennesaret,
The sandals of Christ thy waves have wet!

How oft I have come, in wondering thought,
A pilgrim along thy shore,
Beholding the crowds that Jesus taught,
And the deeds His power and mercy wrought,
As He walked thy margin o’er.
O hallowed Sea
Of Galilee.
The home of Messiah was once by thee!