God’s tenderness from us is often hid

Severe so seem his mercies beckoning

Our hearts to sweet repentance–sin to rid–

And reconciliation harkening

So Joseph hid affection brotherly

To bring his sinful clan on bended knee

No other course for men with hearts so hard

Than putting his own brother under guard

Demanding too beloved Benjamin

To test their conscious rife with ancient sin

No different ours before a God who knows

Our soul from birth so caringly he shows

Just what must break, that worldly thing so dear

That to his greater love we might draw near.