The Ninevites heard, and God’s message believed.
They humbled themselves, and repented, and grieved.
They called on the Lord God, acknowledged their sin; –
their hope of remission was slender and thin.
Mercy and grace, mercy and grace:
seek God while he still offers mercy and grace.
Those men had discovered their lives soon would end.
They realised their sin, – that they could not defend
themselves, when before God the Judge they would stand,
receiving their punishment by his command.
And God had compassion: he saw how they turned,
and did not bring on them the judgement they’d earned;
but Jonah was angry, and seemed to forget
he also to mercy and grace was in debt.
Tune: Shelter (Hiding in Thee)
