University of Virginia Library

HYMN XLI.

[Justly Thou mightst in helpless age]

Justly Thou mightst in helpless age
Thy most unworthy servant leave,
Leave me to faint in life's last stage
And never more my sins forgive,
Leave me to breathe my slighted prayer
And perish in extreme despair.
But lo, I from Thy justice, Lord,
To Thy redeeming grace appeal!
Justice awakes its flaming sword
Against the Man Thou lov'st so well:
He paid my ransom with His blood,
And God hath quench'd the wrath of God.

395

Whate'er I have of evil done,
Or said, or thought, on Him was laid:
My trust is in Thy bleeding Son,
My fainting soul on Christ is stay'd:
Father, regard His sacrifice,
And bid me live, for Jesus dies.
His death is present now with Thee,
As when, expiring in my place,
He bow'd His head on Calvary,
True Witness of the' accomplish'd grace,
The pardon pass'd, the world forgiven,
The way display'd from hell to heaven.
With humble faith His death I plead,
And cover'd with the' atoning blood,
Calmly I sink among the dead,
The dead who ever live to God,
Secure in that great day to rise
And share Thy kingdom in the skies.