University of Virginia Library

PSALM 40. v. 5–10. (L. M.) Christ our Sacrifice.

I

The wonders, Lord, thy love has wrought,
Exceed our praise, surmount our thought;
Should I attempt the long detail,
My speech would faint, my numbers fail.

II

No blood of beasts on altars spilt
Can cleanse the souls of men from guilt;
But thou hast set before our eyes
An all-sufficient sacrifice.

III

Lo! thine eternal Son appears,
To thy designs he bows his ears,
Assumes a body well prepar'd,
And well performs a work so hard.

IV

‘Behold, I come,’ (the Saviour cries,
With love and duty in his eyes)
‘I come to bear the heavy load
‘Of sins, and do thy will, my God.

V

‘'Tis written in thy great decree,
‘'Tis in thy book foretold of me,
‘I must fulfil the Saviour's part,
‘And lo! thy law is in my heart!

VI

‘I'll magnify thy holy law,
‘And rebels to obedience draw,
‘When on my cross I'm lifted high,
‘Or to my crown above the sky.

VII

‘The Spirit shall descend, and show
‘What thou hast done, and what I do;
‘The wondering world shall learn thy grace,
‘Thy wisdom and thy righteousness.’

Besides some of the scriptures mentioned under the former metre, I have here made use of these also, 1 John iii. 5. The Son of God was manifested, &c. 1 Pet. ii. 24. He bore our sins. Isaiah xlii. 21. He will magnify the law, and make it honourable. John xii. 32. If I be lifted up, I will draw all men to me. John xvi. 14. The Spirit shall receive of mine, and shew it unto you.