quote · Legacy record
Around Bethesda’s healing wave, Waiting to hear the rustling wing Which spoke the angel nigh, who gave Its virtues to the holy spring,— With earnest, fixed solicitude, Were seen the afflicted multitude. Among them there was one whose eye Had often seen the waters stirred; Whose heart had often heaved the sigh— The bitter sigh of hope deferred; Beholding, while he suffered on, The healing virtue giv’n and gone; No pow’r had he; no friendly aid To him the timely succour brought; But while his coming he delayed, Another won the boon he sought; Until the Saviour’s love was shown, Which healed him by a word alone. Bethesda’s pool has lost its power! No angel, by his glad descent, Dispenses that diviner dower Which, with its healing waters, went; But He, whose word surpassed its wave, Is still omnipotent to save.
Around Bethesda’s healing wave, Waiting to hear the rustling wing Which spoke the angel nigh, who gave Its virtues to the holy spring,— With earnest, fixed solicitude, Were seen the afflicted multitude. Among them there was one whose eye Had often seen the waters stirred; Whose heart had often heaved the sigh— The bitter sigh of hope deferred; Beholding, while he suffered on, The healing virtue giv’n and gone; No pow’r had he; no friendly aid To him the timely succour brought; But while his coming he delayed, Another won the boon he sought; Until the Saviour’s love was shown, Which healed him by a word alone. Bethesda’s pool has lost its power! No angel, by his glad descent, Dispenses that diviner dower Which, with its healing waters, went; But He, whose word surpassed its wave, Is still omnipotent to save.
In print by 1888 AD · industrial
Recorded in a printed collection by this date; the original date of these words is still unknown.
Meaning not yet available
An individual explanation has not yet been added. We do not substitute a generic description for an interpretation of these particular words.
Begin with source-checked readings and explanations ↗Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- B. Barton (identity unresolved)
Attribution: unknown - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- In print by 1888 AD · industrial
In print by 1888: recorded in A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888). Collection publication is an upper bound for this wording, not its earliest origin, composition date or the author's lifetime.
An author lifetime, approximate period or collection date is not necessarily the date when these words were first written or spoken. - Recorded source
- A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888) (1888 AD)
Page 282 · printed citation: B. Barton · subject: HEALING
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.