Part 18
3. Thy work alone, O Christ, Can ease this weight of sin; Thy blood alone, O Lamb of God, Can give me peace within.
4. Thy love to me, O God, Not mine, O Lord, to Thee, Can rid me of this dark unrest And set my spirit free.
5. Thy grace alone, O God, To me can pardon speak; Thy power alone, O Son of God, Can this sore bondage break.
6. I bless the Christ of God; I rest on love divine, And with unfaltering lip and heart I call this Savior mine.
H. Bonar, 1861.
321
8, 8, 8, 6
Drawn to the cross, which Thou hast blessed With healing gifts for souls distressed, To find in Thee my life, my rest, Christ Crucified, I come.
2. Thou knowest all my griefs and fears, Thy grace abused, my misspent years; Yet now to Thee with contrite tears, Christ Crucified, I come.
3. Wash me and take away each stain; Let nothing of my sin remain; For cleansing, though it be through pain, Christ Crucified, I come.
4. And then for work to do for Thee, Which shall so sweet a service be That angels well might envy me, Christ Crucified, I come.
Genevieve M. Irons, 1880.
322
7, 6, 8 l
I lay my sins on Jesus, The spotless Lamb of God; He bears them all and frees us From the accursed load. I bring my guilt to Jesus, To wash my crimson stains White in His blood most precious Till not a spot remains.
2. I lay my wants on Jesus; All fulness dwells in Him; He heals all my diseases, He doth my soul redeem. I lay my griefs on Jesus, My burdens and my cares; He from them all releases, He all my sorrows shares.
3. I rest my soul on Jesus, This weary soul of mine; His right hand me embraces, I on His breast recline. I love the name of Jesus, Immanuel, Christ, the Lord; Like fragrance on the breezes His name abroad is poured.
4. I long to be like Jesus, Meek, loving, lowly, mild; I long to be like Jesus, The Father’s holy Child. I long to be with Jesus Amid the heavenly throng, To sing with saints His praises, To learn the angels’ song.
H. Bonar, 1849.
323
7, 6, 8 l
Through Jesus’ blood and merit I am at peace with God; What, then, can daunt my spirit, However dark my road? My courage shall not fail me, For God is on my side; Though hell itself assail me, Its rage I may deride.
2. There’s nothing that can sever Me from the love of God; No want, no pain whatever, No famine, peril, blood. Though thousand foes surround me And in their base design A sheep for slaughter count me, The victory still is mine.
3. Yea, neither life’s temptation Nor death’s terrific hour, Nor angels of high station, Nor any other power, Nor things that now are present, Nor things that are to come, Nor height, however pleasant, Nor depth of deepest gloom,
4. Nor any creature ever Shall from the love of God This wretched sinner sever; For in my Savior’s blood This love its fountain taketh; He hears my faithful prayer And nevermore forsaketh This child of His and heir.
S. Dach, † 1659; A. Crull, tr.
324
6, 4, 6, 4, 6, 6, 4
Nearer, my God, to Thee! Nearer to Thee! Through Word and Sacrament, Thou com’st to me. Thy grace is ever near, Thy Spirit ever here, Drawing to Thee.
2. Ages on ages rolled Ere earth appeared; Yet Thine unmeasured love The way prepared. E’en then Thou yearn’st for me That I might nearer be, Nearer to Thee!
3. Thy Son has come to earth My sin to bear, My every wound to heal, My pain to share. “God in the flesh” for me, Brings me now nearer Thee, Nearer to Thee!
4. Lo! all my debt is paid, My guilt is gone. See! He has ris’n for me, My throne is won. Thanks, O my God, to Thee! None now can nearer be, Nearer to Thee!
5. Welcome, then, to Thy home, Blest One in Three! As Thou hast promised, come! Come, Lord, to me! Work, Thou, O God, through me; Live, Thou, O God, in me, Ever in me!
6. By the baptismal stream, Which made me Thine, By the dear flesh and blood, Thy love made mine, Purge Thou all sin from me That I may nearer be, Nearer to Thee!
7. Surely it matters not What earth may bring, Death is of no account, Grace will I sing. Nothing remains for me Save to be nearer Thee, Nearer to Thee!
H. E. Jacobs, 1887.
325
7s 6 l
Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee; Let the water and the blood, From Thy riven side which flowed, Be of sin the double cure, Cleanse me from its guilt and power.
2. Not the labors of my hands Can fulfil Thy Law’s demands; Could my zeal no respite know, Could my tears forever flow, All for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and Thou alone.
3. Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to Thy Cross I cling; Naked, come to Thee for dress; Helpless, look to Thee for grace; Foul, I to the fountain fly,— Wash me, Savior, or I die!
4. While I draw this fleeting breath, When my eyelids close in death, When I soar to worlds unknown, See Thee on Thy judgment throne, Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee!
A. M. Toplady, 1776, a.
326
L. M.
Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness, My beauty are, my glorious dress; Midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed, With joy shall I lift up my head.
2. Bold shall I stand in that great Day, For who aught to my charge shall lay? Fully through these absolved I am From sin and fear, from guilt and shame.
3. The holy, meek, unspotted Lamb, Who from the Father’s bosom came, Who died for me, e’en me t’ atone, Now for my Lord and God I own.
4. Lord, I believe Thy precious blood, Which at the mercy-seat of God Forever doth for sinners plead, For me—e’en for my soul—was shed.
5. Lord, I believe were sinners more Than sands upon the ocean shore, Thou hast for all a ransom paid, For all a full atonement made.
6. When from the dust of death I rise To claim my mansion in the skies, E’en then this shall be all my plea: Jesus hath lived and died for me.
7. Jesus, be endless praise to Thee, Whose boundless mercy hath for me, For me, and all Thy hands have made, An everlasting ransom paid.
L. v. Zinzendorf, 1739; J. Wesley, 1740.
327
L. M.
Our God so loved the world that He Gave His own Son and did decree That all who would in Him believe Should everlasting life receive.
2. Christ Jesus is the ground of faith, Who was made flesh and suffered death; All that confide in Him alone Are built on this chief Corner-stone.
3. God would not have the sinner die; His Son with saving grace is nigh, His Spirit in the Word doth teach How man the blessed goal may reach.
4. Be of good cheer, for God’s own Son Forgives all sins which thou hast done; Thou’rt justified by Jesus’ blood, Thy Baptism grants the highest good.
5. If thou be sick, if death draw near, This truth thy troubled heart can cheer: Christ Jesus saves my soul from death; That is the firmest ground of faith.
6. Glory to God the Father, Son, And Holy Spirit, Three in One! To Thee, O blessed Trinity, Be praise now and eternally!
J. Olearius, 1671; A. Crull, tr.
328
S. M.
Grace! ’tis a charming sound, Harmonious to the ear; Heav’n with the echo shall resound, And all the earth shall hear.
2. Grace first contrived the way To save rebellious man; And all the steps that grace display Which drew the wondrous plan.
3. Grace first inscribed my name In God’s eternal book; ’Twas grace that gave me to the Lamb, Who all my sorrows took.
4. Grace led my roving feet To tread the heavenly road; And new supplies each hour I meet While pressing on to God.
5. Grace taught my soul to pray And made my eyes o’erflow; ’Twas grace that kept me to this day And will not let me go.
6. Grace all the work shall crown Through everlasting days; It lays in heaven the topmost stone And well deserves the praise.
Philip Doddridge, 1755.
329
6, 6, 6, 6, 8, 8 (H. M.)
Thy works, not mine, O Christ, Speak gladness to this heart; They tell me all is done, They bid my fear depart. To whom, save Thee, who canst alone For sin atone, Lord, shall I flee?
2. Thy cross, not mine, O Christ, Has borne the awful load Of sins that none in heaven Or earth could bear but God. To whom, save Thee, who canst alone For sin atone, Lord, shall I flee?
3. Thy death, not mine, O Christ, Has paid the ransom due; Ten thousand deaths like mine Would have been all too few. To whom, save Thee, who canst alone For sin atone, Lord, shall I flee?
4. Thy righteousness, O Christ, Alone can cover me; No righteousness avails Save that which is of Thee. To whom, save Thee, who canst alone For sin atone, Lord, shall I flee?
H. Bonar, 1857.
330
C. M.
O Mystery of Love Divine That thought and thanks o’erpowers! Lord Jesus, was our portion Thine, And is Thy portion ours?
2. Emmanuel, didst Thou take our place To set us in Thine own? Didst Thou our low estate embrace To lift us to Thy throne?
3. Didst Thou fulfil each righteous deed, God’s perfect will express, That we, th’ unfaithful ones, might plead Thy perfect faithfulness?
4. On Thy pure soul did dread and gloom In that drear garden rise? Are ours the brightness and the bloom Of Thine own Paradise?
5. For Thee the Father’s hidden face? For Thee the bitter cry? For us the Father’s endless grace, The song of victory?
6. Our load of sin and misery Didst Thou, the Sinless, bear? Thy spotless robe of purity Do we, the sinners, wear?
7. Lord Jesus, is it even so? Have we been lovèd thus? What love can we on Thee bestow Who hast exchanged with us?
8. Thou, who our very place didst take, Dwell in our very heart. Thou, who Thy portion ours dost make, Thyself, Thyself, impart.
T. H. Gill, 1864.
SANCTIFICATION.
OBEDIENCE.
331
5, 5, 8, 8, 5, 5
Jesus, still lead on Till our rest be won; And although the way be cheerless, We will follow calm and fearless. Guide us by Thy hand To our fatherland.
2. If the way be drear, If the Foe be near, Let no faithless fears o’ertake us; Let not faith and hope forsake us; For through many a woe To our home we go.
3. When we seek relief From a long-felt grief; When temptations come alluring, Make us patient and enduring; Show us that bright shore Where we weep no more.
4. Jesus, still lead on Till our rest be won. Heavenly Leader, still direct us, Still support, control, protect us, Till we safely stand In our fatherland.
L. v. Zinzendorf, 1721; Jane Borthwick, tr., 1853.
332
L. M.
God of my life, whose gracious power Through various deaths my soul hath led; Or turned aside the fatal hour, Or lifted up my sinking head:
2. In all my ways Thy hand I own, Thy ruling providence I see. O help me still my course to run And still direct my path to Thee.
3. Whither, O whither should I fly But to my loving Savior’s breast? Secure within Thine arms to lie And safe beneath Thy wings to rest!
4. I have no skill the snare to shun; But Thou, O Christ, my Wisdom art! I ever into ruin run; But Thou art greater than my heart.
5. Foolish and impotent and blind, Lead me a way I have not known; Bring me where I my heaven may find, The heaven of loving Thee alone.
6. Enlarge my heart to make Thee room; Enter and in me ever stay. The crooked then shall straight become; The darkness shall be lost in day.
Charles Wesley, 1740.
333
8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 7, 7, 8, 7, 7
Let us ever walk with Jesus, Follow His example pure, Flee the world, that would deceive us And to sin our soul allure. Ever in His footsteps treading, Body here, yet soul above, Full of faith and hope and love, Let us do the Father’s bidding. Faithful Lord, abide with me; Savior, lead, I follow Thee.
2. Let us suffer here with Jesus, To His image e’er conform; Heaven’s glory soon will please us, Sunshine follow on the storm. Having sown in tears, in gladness We shall reap. With patient cheer Let us hope and, void of fear, Bide the turning of our sadness. Christ, I suffer here with Thee, There, oh, share Thy joy with me!
3. Let us also die with Jesus. His death from the second death, From our soul’s destruction, frees us, Quickens us with life’s glad breath. Let us mortify, while living, Flesh and blood and die to sin; And the grave that shuts us in Shall but prove the gate to heaven. Jesus, here I die to Thee, There to live eternally.
4. Let us also live with Jesus; Since He’s risen from the dead, Must the conquered grave release us. Jesus, Thou art now our Head, We Thy body’s cherished members. Where Thou livest, live shall we; Own us evermore to be, Dearest Friend, Thy loved brethren. Jesus, here I live to Thee, Yonder, too, eternally.
S. v. Birken, 1652; J. A. Rimbach, tr., a.
334
8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 8
Come, follow Me, the Savior spake, All in My way abiding; Deny yourselves, the world forsake, Obey My call and guiding; O bear the cross, whate’er betide, Take My example for your guide.
2. I am the Light, I light the way, A virtuous life displaying; Who comes to Me and follows, aye, I lead from his dark straying. I am the Way, and well I show How men should sojourn here below.
3. My heart in lowliness abounds, My soul with love is glowing, And from My mouth are words and sounds Of meekness overflowing. My heart, My mind, My strength, My all To God I yield, on Him I call.
4. I teach you to avoid and flee What harms your soul’s salvation, Your heart to purify and free From sin’s abomination. Your Rock and Fortress e’er am I And lead you to the life on high.
5. But if too hot you find the fray, I, at your side, stand ready; I fight Myself, I lead the way, At all times firm and steady. A coward he who will not heed When the chief Captain takes the lead.
6. Who seeks to find his soul’s welfare Without Me, he shall lose it; But who to lose it may appear, In God shall introduce it. Who bears no cross nor follows hard, Deserves not Me nor My reward.
7. Then let us follow our dear Lord, And bear the cross appointed And, bravely cleaving to His Word, In suffering be undaunted. Who has not stood the battle’s strain The crown of life shall ne’er obtain.
J. Scheffler, 1668; C. W. Schaeffer, tr., a.
335
8, 7, 8 l
Jesus, I my cross have taken, All to leave and follow Thee; Destitute, despised, forsaken, Thou from hence my All shalt be. Perish every fond ambition, All I’ve sought or hoped or known; Yet how rich is my condition! God and heaven are still my own.
2. Let the world despise and leave me, They have left my Savior too; Human hearts and looks deceive me, Thou art not, like them, untrue. And while Thou shalt smile upon me, God of wisdom, love, and might, Foes may hate and friends may shun me; Show Thy face, and all is bright.
3. Go, then, earthly fame and treasure! Come, disaster, scorn, and pain! In Thy service, pain is pleasure; With Thy favor, loss is gain. I have called Thee Abba, Father! I have stayed my heart on Thee; Storms may howl, and clouds may gather, All must work for good to me.
4. Man may trouble and distress me, ’Twill but drive me to Thy breast; Life with trials hard may press me, Heaven will bring me sweeter rest. Oh, ’tis not in grief to harm me While Thy love is left to me! Oh, ’twere not in joy to charm me Were that joy unmixed with Thee.
5. Take, my soul, thy full salvation; Rise o’er sin and fear and care, Joy to find in every station, Something still to do or bear. Think what Spirit dwells within thee, What a Father’s smile is thine, What a Savior died to win thee,— Child of heaven, shouldst thou repine?
6. Haste, then, on from grace to glory, Armed by faith and winged by prayer; Heaven’s eternal day’s before thee, God’s own hand shall guide thee there. Soon shall close thy earthly mission, Swift shall pass thy pilgrim days, Hope soon change to glad fruition, Faith to sight and prayer to praise.
H. F. Lyte, 1824.
336
8, 7, 8 l
Holy Father! Thou hast taught me I should live to Thee alone; Year by year Thy hand hath brought me On through dangers oft unknown. When I wandered, Thou hast found me; When I doubted, sent me light; Still Thine arm has been around me, All my paths were in Thy sight.
2. In the world will foes assail me, Crafty, stronger far than I; And the strife will never fail me, Well I know, before I die. Therefore, Lord, I come, believing Thou canst give the power I need, Through the prayer of faith receiving Strength, the Spirit’s strength, indeed.
3. I would trust in Thy protecting, Wholly rest upon Thine arm, Follow wholly Thy directing, Thou mine only Guard from harm! Keep me from mine own undoing, Help me turn to Thee when tried; Still my footsteps, Father, viewing, Keep me ever at Thy side.
J. M. Neale, 1842, a.
337
6, 4, 6, 4, 6, 6, 6, 4
Savior, I follow on, Guided by Thee, Seeing not yet the hand That leadeth me. Hushed be my heart and still, Fear I no further ill, Only to meet Thy will My will shall be.
2. Riven the rock for me Thirst to relieve, Manna from heaven falls Fresh every eve; Never a want severe Causeth my eye a tear But Thou dost whisper near, “Only believe!”
3. Often to Marah’s brink Have I been brought; Shrinking the cup to drink, Help I have sought; And with the prayer’s ascent Jesus the branch hath rent, Quickly relief hath sent, Sweetening the draught.
4. Savior, I long to walk Closer with Thee; Led by Thy guiding hand, Ever to be Constantly near Thy side, Quickened and purified, Living for Him who died Freely for me.
C. S. Robinson, 1862.
338
S. M. 8 l
O Thou who wouldst not have One wretched sinner die, Who diedst Thyself my soul to save From endless misery, Teach me my course to run, While yet I sojourn here, That when Thou comest on Thy throne I may with joy appear.
2. Thou art Thyself the Way, Thyself in me reveal; So shall I pass my life’s short day Obedient to Thy will; So shall I love my God Because He first loved me, And praise Thee in Thy bright abode Through all eternity.
Charles Wesley, 1749, a.
339
8, 8, 6, 8, 8, 6 (C. P. M.)
May we Thy precepts, Lord, fulfil And do on earth our Father’s will As angels do above; Still walk in Christ, the living Way, With all Thy children and obey The law of Christian love.
2. So may we join Thy name to bless, Thy grace adore, Thy power confess, From sin and strife to flee. One is our calling, one our name, The end of all our hopes the same, A crown of life with Thee.
3. Spirit of Life, of Love and Peace, Unite our hearts, our joy increase, Thy gracious help supply. To each of us the blessing give In Christian fellowship to live, In joyful hope to die.
Edward Osler, 1836, a.
340
8, 7, 8, 7, 4, 7
Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah, Pilgrim through this barren land; I am weak, but Thou art mighty, Hold me with Thy powerful hand: Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more!
2. Open now the crystal fountain Whence the healing streams do flow, Let the fiery, cloudy pillar Lead me all my journey through: Strong Deliverer, Be Thou still my Strength and Shield!
3. When I tread the verge of Jordan, Bid my anxious fears subside; Death of death and hell’s Destruction, Land me safe on Canaan’s side: Songs of praises I will ever give to Thee.
Wm. Williams, 1745; P. Williams, tr., 1771.
341
S. M.
The man is ever blest Who shuns the sinners’ ways, Among their counsels never stands, Nor takes the scorners’ place;
2. But makes the Law of God His study and delight Amid the labors of the day And watches of the night.
3. He like a tree shall thrive, With waters near the root; Fresh as the leaf his name shall live, His works are heavenly fruit.
4. Not so th’ ungodly race, They no such blessings find; Their hopes shall flee like empty chaff Before the driving wind.
5. How will they bear to stand Before that judgment-seat Where all the saints at Christ’s right hand In full assembly meet?
6. He knows and He approves The way the righteous go; But sinners and their works shall meet A dreadful overthrow.
Isaac Watts, 1719.
342
C. M.
O that the Lord would guide my ways To keep His statutes still! O that my God would grant me grace To know and do His will!
2. Order my footsteps by Thy Word And make my heart sincere; Let sin have no dominion, Lord, But keep my conscience clear.
3. Assist my soul, too apt to stray, A stricter watch to keep; And should I e’er forget Thy way, Restore Thy wandering sheep.
4. Make me to walk in Thy commands,— ’Tis a delightful road,— Nor let my head or heart or hands Offend against my God.
Isaac Watts, 1719, a.
343
7, 8, 7, 8, 8, 8
God, from all eternity In Thy Son Thou didst elect me; Therefore, Father, graciously In my course to heaven direct me; Send to me Thy Holy Spirit That His gifts I may inherit.
2. Though alive, I’m dead in sin, To all good things lost by nature; Holy Ghost, change me within, Make of me a new-born creature; For the flesh deserves damnation And can never gain salvation.
3. Drive away the gloomy night Of my sinful meditation; Quench all thoughts that are not right, Reason hold in limitation; Grant that I from Thee with yearning Wisdom always may be learning.
4. All desires and thoughts of mine, From my youth, are only evil; Save me by Thy power divine From myself and from the devil; Give me strength in ample measure, Both to will and do Thy pleasure.