Lyrics · 1 Kings
Answer by Fire
1 Kings 18
Lyrics
About this song
About this song
This song belongs to the 1 Kings collection. 8 recordings are available to play here, with the complete lyrics below.
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[Opening Challenge]
How long halt ye between two opinions?
If the Lord be God, follow Him.
If Baal be god, then follow his altar.
The mountain waited; the crowd answered dim.
[Verse 1]
Four hundred fifty cried morning to noon,
Leapt round the altar beneath the hot sun.
They cut themselves open and shouted still louder;
No voice, no answer, no one.
Elijah repaired the twelve stones of the altar,
Laid wood and bullock in covenant frame,
Then ordered four barrels poured over three times;
Water filled trench, wood, and slain.
[Chorus]
Answer by fire,
Let Israel know.
Answer by fire,
Let the false worship go.
One prayer rose calmly;
No frenzy was required.
The God who turns hearts
Answered by fire.
[Verse 2]
Flame ate the offering, timber, and stones,
Licked up the water and dust to the bone.
The people fell forward: "The Lord, He is God."
Baal's empty prophets were finally known.
Elijah climbed where the sea lay beyond him,
Bent to the earth while his servant looked west.
Seven times watching, a hand-sized cloud rising,
Rain broke the drought at the prophet's request.
[Final Chorus]
Answer by fire,
Then answer by rain.
Turn back the nation
And cleanse the long stain.

