The Anvil of God's Word Lyrics

Last eve I paused beside the blacksmith's door
And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime
Then looking in, I saw upon the floor
Old hammers, worn with beating years of time

"How many anvils have you had," said I
"To wear and batter all these hammers so?"
"Just one," said he, and then with twinkling eye
"The anvil wears the hammers out, you know."

And so, I thought, the Anvil of God's Word
For ages skeptic blows have beat upon
Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heart
The Anvil is unharmed, the hammers gone

For the Word of God is alive and active
Sharper than any double-edged sword
It penetrates even to dividing soul, spirit, joints and marrow
It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart