The Woman with an Infirmity
by Anne Fletcher
Now, in a synagogue, as He
One Sabbath day did preach,
Behold a woman, quite bowed down
And listening to His speech,
A poor, afflicted sufferer,
Who bore with groans and tears,
A spirit of infirmity
For fully eighteen years.
Upon her Jesus laid His hand,
And, suddenly made straight,
She rose and glorified her God,
Whose mercies are so great.
The ruler of the synagogue,
Indignant the the Lord
Upon the Sabbath day had wrought
This healing by His word,
Unto the people said : "There are
Six days in which you may
Do all your works;--in them be healed--
Not on the Sabbath day."
Then Jesus answered : "Hypocrite,
Doth not each of you think
It right, on Sabbath day, to lead
His beast away to drink?
"And ought not this poor woman, who
Is Abraham's daughter, be
Made loose from pain she bore so long
Through Satan's tyranny?"
And all His adversariew were
Ashamed when thus He chid,
While others wondered are rejoiced
For all the works He did.
