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From Sheba a distant report Queen of SHEBA

John Newton printed it in 1779 in Olney Hymns, Book I, no. 34, under 1 Kings 10:1–9.

WRITTEN BY

John Newton 1725–1807

PRINTED

1779 Olney Hymns · no. 34

METRE

8.8.8.8a 6 stanzas

WRITTEN ON

1 Kings 10:1–9 the verse printed above it

The hymn, and the Scripture in it

All 6 stanzas as Newton printed them, with the verses their lines echo beside them. Point at a line to join it to its verse; click to read the passage.

SHARED WORDSthe verse shares the line's wording ECHOproposed by an AI model, confirmed by a separate check Not the author's own notes

AMONG THE SCRIPTURES

The stanzas at the centre; around them, every book its heading and its echoes come from, Old Testament on the left and New on the right. Choose a stanza or a book.

a line echoes this verse its heading or an echo comes from here

STANZA I

From Sheba a distant report

Of Solomon’s glory and fame,

Invited the queen to his court,

But all was outdone when she came;

She cried, with a pleasing surprise,

When first she before him appeared,

“How much, what I see with my eyes,

“Surpasses the rumor I heard!”

Where Newton found it

Newton printed the hymn under 1 Kings 10:1–9. The line that comes closest to it is marked.

1Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with difficult questions. 2She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large caravan—with camels bearing spices, gold in great abundance, and precious stones. So she came to Solomon and spoke to him all that was on her mind. 3And Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too difficult for the king to explain. 4When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon, the palace he had built, 5the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the service and attire of his attendants and cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he presented at the house of the LORD, it took her breath away. 6She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your words and wisdom is true. 7But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told to me. Your wisdom and prosperity have far exceeded the report I heard. 8How blessed are your men! How blessed are these servants of yours who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom! 9Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delighted in you to set you on the throne of Israel. Because of the LORD’s eternal love for Israel, He has made you king to carry out justice and righteousness.” 1 KINGS 10:1–9 · BEREAN STANDARD BIBLE READ 1 KINGS 10

From Sheba a distant report Of Solomon’s glory and fame, Invited the queen to his court, But all was outdone when she came; She cried, with a pleasing surprise, When first she before him appeared, “How much, what I see with my eyes, “Surpasses the rumor I heard!” STANZA I

Its place in the book

Book I of Olney Hymns walks through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, one hymn per passage: 141 hymns. This is number 34. Point at a tick to see the hymn; click it to open that hymn.

NO. 34 · JOHN NEWTON · THIS HYMN From Sheba a distant report

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