PRISON.
Let the sighing of the prisoner come before Thee; according to the greatness of Thy power preserve Thou those that are appointed to die.—Psalm lxxix. 11.
The Lord looseth the prisoners.—Psalm cxlvi. 7.
Turn you to the stronghold ye prisoners of hope.—Zechariah, ix. 12.
Prisoners of hope, arise,
And see your Lord appear!
Lo! on the wings of love He flies,
And brings redemption near.
Redemption in His blood
He calls you to receive:
“Look unto me, the pardoning God;
Believe,” He cries, “believe!”
C. Wesley.
Though not a human voice he hears,
And not a human form appears
His solitude to share,
He is not all alone—the eye
Of Him who hears the prisoner’s sigh
Is even on him there.
J. L. Chester.
The captive welcomes even death’s relief:
What then, to him, the frowning prison-walls,
The clanking chain, the tyrant’s ’vengeful spite?
From the freed spirit every shackle falls,—
Earth’s gloom is lost, in Heaven’s glorious light.
H. H. Weld.
Thy solemn vows are on me, Lord;
Thou shalt receive my praise;
I’ll sing “How faithful is Thy word!
How righteous all thy ways!”
Thou hast secured my soul from death,
O set Thy prisoner free!
That heart and hand, and life and breath,
May be employ’d for Thee.
Then, like a bird that soars and sings,
Escaping from the cage,
My prisoned soul shall stretch her wings,
And in Thy cause engage.
Anon.