That's right. I've known those lyrics all my life as a hymn, and as a bible verse. Very similar idea, as this from Amos 5:24. “Let justice roll down like the waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.” This is one of those lines in the midst of one of those homicidal rages by their "good" lord, which was repurposed to better use by the Black Church and the Civil Rights movement.
Amazing how there's potentially uplifting stuff in the OT, just not in the hands of Yahweh. It's an important observation, perhaps one of the roots of the "issue".
Actually, the verse itself was changed from "Let judgement roll down like the waters...." This was said in the midst of a fulminating, condemnatory rampage by the old testament god.
I think it goes to show that those with good hearts are able to find good even in things like this that are so awful. Finding such lines and rewording them to give comfort and hope, must have been nourishment to the slaves in their ongoing times of need.
That's right. I've known those lyrics all my life as a hymn, and as a bible verse. Very similar idea, as this from Amos 5:24. “Let justice roll down like the waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.” This is one of those lines in the midst of one of those homicidal rages by their "good" lord, which was repurposed to better use by the Black Church and the Civil Rights movement.
Amazing how there's potentially uplifting stuff in the OT, just not in the hands of Yahweh. It's an important observation, perhaps one of the roots of the "issue".
Actually, the verse itself was changed from "Let judgement roll down like the waters...." This was said in the midst of a fulminating, condemnatory rampage by the old testament god.
I think it goes to show that those with good hearts are able to find good even in things like this that are so awful. Finding such lines and rewording them to give comfort and hope, must have been nourishment to the slaves in their ongoing times of need.