[Verse 1] The ark remains at Kirjath-jearim while Israel laments after the LORD for twenty years. The people put away Baalim and Ashtaroth and serve the LORD. Israel draws water, fasts, and confesses its sin before the LORD. The frightened people beg Samuel not to cease crying to God. [Pre-Chorus] The crown looked bright, the burden lay beneath, A throne could shelter life or summon grief. [Chorus] Hitherto Hath the LORD Helped Us, every crown is weighed, Thrones are raised and royal vows are made. A kingdom stands only where the word remains, For pride can break what wisdom once sustains. [Verse 2] Samuel raises the Ebenezer stone to remember divine help. Philistine pressure is broken, and lost Israelite cities are restored. Samuel judges Israel through a yearly circuit and builds an altar at Ramah. His sons turn aside after gain, take bribes. [Bridge] Samuel is displeased, but God says the people have rejected divine rule. Samuel warns that a king will seize sons, daughters, fields, servants. The people refuse the warning and insist on a king to lead their battles. Samuel reports their words, and God directs him to make them a king. [Final Chorus] Hitherto Hath the LORD Helped Us, every crown is weighed, Thrones are raised and royal vows are made. A kingdom stands only where the word remains, For pride can break what wisdom must sustain. [Outro] The crown passed on, the record kept the cost. No throne could hold what disobedience lost.