1.

Bashan’s mount with gloom is shrouded;
It t’ward Zion glares with hate,
And its countenance is clouded.
But see Zion radiate
:/: With the sun in fullness beaming—
Zion’s mount in splendor gleaming!
Bashan’s face is dark and drear,
At Zion staring, full of fear. :/:
(Ps. 68:15-17)

2.

Bashan threatens in the night, and
Fog is thick and dark and cold.
On Mount Zion fire is bright, and
It is free from Bashan’s hold.
:/: In despair, hear Bashan sighing.
“Is this God’s reward?” it’s crying,
While the Sun of Righteousness
On Zion’s heights drives out distress. :/:

3.

Bashan’s herds are barred from freedom
Where the law’s firm clutches bind;
Kept by shepherds hired from Edom,
They’re fenced in there and confined.
:/: Water Meribah provides them
Cannot quench the thirst that drives them.
When for Jacob’s well they yearn,
Their shepherds’ anger starts to burn. :/:
(Amos 4)

4.

Bashan’s herds, O cast off doubt and
Murky fog that weighs you down.
Drive those evil shepherds out, and
Be no more led round and round.
:/: They’re so bound up in their teaching,
With no vision that’s far-reaching.
Bitter water they’ve outpoured,
But thirst is quenched by God the Lord. :/:

5.

Lift your veil, O Zion’s daughter,
See the herds from Bashan flee.
Hear their cries for living water,
For your sun—for liberty!
:/: Edom’s shepherds try to hold them,
Lure and threaten, bribe and scold them.
Take them in; O hear their cry!
O take them in before they die! :/:

Written in 1937 by Johan O. Smith (published in 1937)Composed by Eugen B. SørensenText and melody © Stiftelsen Skjulte Skatters ForlagNorway ⋅ D