I was totally unfamiliar with this hymn before our recent retreat. The leader was also an accomplished pianist and singer. He led us singing a verse of the hymn at each session.

According to Hymnary.org the topic of the hymn “deals with comfort, rest, confession, forgiveness, grief, sorrow, Lent, atonement, Good Friday, judgment.” I would add assurance, peace, and thankfulness.

This is unlike most of the music I post about. The arrangement below was offered at Easter I believe. I love that after orchestral accompaniment verse 4 is sung a cappella.

The tree originates in Revelation 22:1-2 NRSVUE. Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb ² through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month, and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

Below the lyrics is the YouTube music if you care to play it while reading the lyrics.

There in God’s Garden stands the Tree of Wisdom
whose leaves hold forth the healing of the nations
Tree of all knowledge, Tree of all compassion
Tree of all beauty.

Its name is Jesus, name that says “Our Savior”
There on its branches see the scars of suffering
See there the tendrils of our human selfhood
on its life blood.

Thorns not its own are tangled in its foliage
Our greed has starved it, our despite has choked it
Yet,look! It lives! Its grief has not destroyed it
nor fire consumed it.

See how its branches reach to us in welcome
Hear what the Voice says, “Come to me, ye weary”
Give me your sickness, give me all your sorrow
I will give blessing.

This is my ending this my resurrection;
into your hands, Lord, I commit my spirit.
This have I searched for; now I can possess it.
This ground in holy.

All heav'n is singing, "Thanks to Christ whose passion
offers in mercy, healing, strength, and pardon.
Peoples and nations, take it, take it freely!"
Amen! My Master!

I have kept the lyrics on the dining room table thinking I might learn it better that way. I have played it on Amazon music and YouTube. I cannot say I have learned it but it does refresh my soul! It certainly give hope.

Are you looking forward to being allowed to partake from this tree? Do you ever give it any thought? I have to admit that, yes, I have the read the passage from Revelation more than once, but no, I truly had not given it any thought before that retreat.