A beautiful, sacred hymn based on Ruth 1:16. Music by Kevin G. Pace. Text by Mary Ann W. Snowball.

YouTube video: Entreat Me Not to Leave Thee, hymn

Text:
From a famine in God’s land, men and servants died.
Some had moved to other ground, hoping to survive.
Naomi’s husband and two sons had died and left her lone.
Since Ruth’s husband was deceased, she also had no home.

Entreat me not to leave thee now, for where thou go, I go.
Thy own people shall be mine; thy God the God I know.

Like a master calling sheep Ruth would join God’s fold,
Even though Naomi begged that she be consoled
To linger where her people dwelt, for Moab was her land.
But Ruth loved Naomi still; that love would always stand.

Entreat me not to leave thee now, for where thou go, I go.
Thy own people shall be mine; thy God the God I know.

O, entreat me not to stay, but to go with thee . . .
Back with thee to Bethlehem; with thee let me flee.
So Ruth did go and lived her life just as she begged so oft.
Blessings came to both from God, and love was never lost.

Entreat me not to leave thee eer, for where thou lives, I live.
God’s own people now are mine; his love is what God gives.