Page:Traditions of Palestine (microform) (IA traditionsofpale00martrich).pdf/80

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72
SONGS OF PRAISE.

ened and been converted. One from whom a demon had been cast out, sank down at the feet of Jesus, having followed even thus far the disciple who had restored him. When all had told how sin and sorrow had fled before their steps, and how the spirit of the Lord had wrought through them in all the land, the Teacher uplifted his voice to give to Jehovah the glory and the praise.

Then the psalm of thanksgiving burst forth once again, as the full moon shone on the mountain side. It was heard afar into the desert. The robbers who were coming forth to despoil the traveller, slunk back into their caves. The wild ass, while snuffing the night air, heard and turned to the sound. The stork fluttered among the cedar boughs, and the eagle flapped her wings over her nest in the high rock. The temple guard paused as they patrolled the walls, to listen to a holier song than Levites ever uttered. Sweet had been the melody of voices in the courts of the sanctuary, in honour of the God of the Hebrews; but now, within a loftier temple, lighted by the fires of the firmament, arose a richer harmony to glorify Jehovah, the Lord of all the earth.