"When Ahab heard Elijah's words..."

I recently wrote this hymn. The cyberhymnal (link below) has many "88.88.88" melodies. I like "Vernon", but a more familiar one is "Melita" (the tune commonly used for "Eternal Father, Strong to Save"):

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/e/t/eternalf.htm



http://www.cyberhymnal.org/mid/met/met.htm

1. When Ahab heard Elijah's words,
Contrition gripped his broken heart;
He softly went, with sackcloth girt,
And mercy did the LORD impart!
LORD, let us here with Ahab fall -
And, on thy name, repenting, call!

2. Did Ahab not the LORD provoke,
And, all before him, thus exceed?
Were not his "just desserts" the stroke?
Yet at the chapter's end we read:
"Because of his humility -
He shall not live that day to see"!

3. If Ahab, who had all outdone,
In wicked works, a pardon won;
What cloak have we to doubt his love?
His ways, - as heaven - our ways above!
There is forgiveness with the LORD ,
That, feared, he may be - and adored!

4. Our opportunity to pass;
That far from us be - let us cast,
Ourselves before the throne of grace;
With all our hearts look for his face;
Let us not laugh, but - rather - mourn,
With hearts, as well as garments, torn.

5. Indeed, a broken, contrite heart;
The LORD, no wise, in, will despise;
To condescend and take their part,
Run to and fro his searching eyes;
As Ahab proved so long ago;
"To wrath - omnipotently - slow!"

6. Then praise the LORD, ye holy saints!
Come, ever let us ever shout for joy!
His mercies new, he ever reigns!
To pardon, longing - not destroy!
For this, with thankful hearts we sing -
And every good and perfect thing!...

7. ...And by the way records the book,
That God, on Ahab's offspring, took;
The vengeance he had promis-ed,
Until they were completely dead;
God is not mocked, make no mistake -
Then fear him for his mercy's sake!

I Kings 21.29 "Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? Because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days; but in the days of his sons will I bring the evil upon his house."