Weeping in Ramah

Weeping in Ramah, a Common Meter hymn written December 18, 2012.

1. A petty king whose heart inflamed
Because a child was born;
Deigned many children had to die
Lest they might be that one.

2. The wise men sent by God had told
How God had birthed a king.
Thus Herod doubly troubled was
When he had heard this thing.

3. By guile he thought the wise men would
Be tricked to name the place,
Where the babe was, King of the Jews –
Where Jesus safely lay.

4. But wise men, being warned by God
Departed another way.
And Joseph, too, a warning had
To Egypt make their stay.

5. While Joseph ran and Herod raged,
To weeping Ramah fell;
Bethlehem’s sons less two in age
Are slain — no longer live.

6. Oh, hush, onlooker, be thou still;
Lament for Ramah’s loss.
Then for yourself, lament again—
See Jesus on the cross!

7. This native child of Bethlehem,
Had come himself to die;
To save his people from their sins
And raise them up on high.

8. Evil and sin obscure our skies,
And mourning comes in view;
But Jesus won the victory—
So there’s rejoicing, too.