Tune: St Agnes
(\'Jesus, the very thought of thee\')
Numbers 23 v.8-10
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Note: Balaam was an Old Testament prophet.
King Balak of Moab (one of Israel\'s enemies) hired him to curse the people of Israel.
But Balaam spoke prophetic blessings of them instead, in a series of 4 \'Oracles\'
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How shall I curse whom God has not
Cursed, this not be my lot
Nor how shall I defy whom He
Has not defied, here see
From the top of the rocks I view
Israel, I see anew
From the hills I do them behold
Blessings on them are told
The people, they shall dwell alone
Solitary be known
Not reckon selves among nations
But they the holy ones
Who can count them all, e\'en a part?
Or quarter count, where start?
Let me die death of the righteous
My last end be like his! (the Israelites)