O HOW TENDER WAS THE MAN
Words by Michael A. Milton, 1999; Tune: REDHEAD/Richard Redhead, 1853
“Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord Commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she Had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus” (Matthew 1:24,25, NKJV).
O how tender was the man
Chosen by the Lord to stand;
Next to Mary meek and mild,
And the little Promised Child;
Joseph was that tender man
Chosen by the Lord to stand.
Joseph came to understand
By an angel’s sure command,
What God had for him to do,
He was faithful he was true,
Joseph was a faithful man,
So he heeded God’s command.
God the Father, God the Son,
God the Spirit, Three in One
Willed it from before the earth,
Christ would come of Virgin birth;
Woman fell, so it would be
Such a birth would set her free.
Joseph, so we oft may think
From the scene must always shrink;
But the Word of God is clear:
Joseph’s part was very dear;
Earthly fathers have their place,
Showing Heaven’s caring face.
Let us, men, like Joseph be
Serving God so faithfully;
For this world will need to see
What a Father God will be;
Just as Joseph played the part,
So we too reveal God’s heart.