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The prophets sons, in time of old The borrowed axe

John Newton printed it in 1779 in Olney Hymns, Book I, no. 39, under 2 Kings 6:5–6.

WRITTEN BY

John Newton 1725–1807

PRINTED

1779 Olney Hymns · no. 39

METRE

Common Metre 8.6.8.6 · 8 stanzas

WRITTEN ON

2 Kings 6:5–6 the verse printed above it

The hymn, and the Scripture in it

All 8 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

The prophets sons, in time of old

The prophets sons, in time of old,

Though to appearance poor;

Were rich without possessing gold,

And honored, though obscure.

Where Newton found it

Newton printed the hymn under 2 Kings 6:5–6. The line that comes closest to it is marked.

5As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axe head fell into the water. “Oh, my master,” he cried out, “it was borrowed!” 6“Where did it fall?” asked the man of God. And when he showed him the place, the man of God cut a stick, threw it there, and made the iron float. 2 KINGS 6:5–6 · BEREAN STANDARD BIBLE READ 2 KINGS 6

“Alas! it was not mine, he said, How shall I make it good?” Elisha heard, and when he prayed, The iron swam like wood. STANZA V

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 39. Point at a tick to see the hymn; click it to open that hymn.

NO. 39 · JOHN NEWTON · THIS HYMN The prophets sons, in time of old

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