Lyrics · Exodus
The Calf of Gold
Exodus 32
Lyrics
About this song
About this song
This song belongs to the Exodus collection. 8 recordings are available to play here, with the complete lyrics below.
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- Exodus
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- Exodus
[Opening Verse]
The mountain held Moses; the people lost count,
Days turned to fear at the foot of the mount.
"Make us gods who will go before,"
They pressed upon Aaron and asked him for more.
Earrings were gathered, a furnace burned bright;
A calf came golden into their sight.
[False Celebration]
"These be thy gods," was the blasphemous cry;
An altar stood ready beneath Sinai's sky.
They rose up early, then feasted and played;
Covenant vows in a morning betrayed.
[Chorus]
The calf of gold could not hear, could not lead,
Could not break Egypt or answer their need.
Hands made an idol, then bowed to the same;
Glory was traded for metal and shame.
[Verse 2]
Moses descended with stone in his hands,
Heard not the shout of victorious bands.
He saw the calf and the dancing below,
Cast down the tablets and shattered the stone.
Gold was burned, ground, and scattered in tide;
Israel drank what their hands deified.
[Intercession]
Moses returned to the mountain alone,
Offering himself for the sin to atone.
The guilty were judged, yet the nation remained;
Mercy held covenant though holiness pained.
[Final Chorus]
The calf of gold fell to ash in the stream;
No fashioned image can carry a dream.
The people had stumbled at Sinai's own flame,
But Moses stood pleading before the Lord's name.

