Scripture Verse

I will mention the loving-kindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which He hath bestowed on them according to His mercies, and according to the multitude of His loving-kindnesses. Isaiah 63:7

Introduction

Words: Charles Wes­ley, Hymns and Sac­red Po­ems (Bris­tol, Eng­land: Fe­lix Far­ley, 1742), pag­es 10–12.

Music: Le­Conte P. W. Hill, in The Gold­en Rule, by So­lo­mon W. Straub (Cin­cin­na­ti, Ohio: John Church, 1872), num­ber 92 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know Hill’s full name, or where to get a good pho­to of him (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Charles Wesley (1707–1788)

Lyrics

I too will magnify the Lord,
And emulate the angels’ lays,
His loving-kindnesses record
In sounds of ev­er­last­ing praise.

For all He hath on us bestowed,
This only tribute can I bring,
Extol the mercies of my God,
His multitude of mercies sing.

How good to Israel’s chosen race:
Who, who can all His goodness tell!
So rich in unexhausted grace,
His riches are unsearchable.

Surely, He said, mine own they are,
My people will not faithless prove,
My children will not slight my care,
Or disappoint a Fa­ther’s love.

Sweetly He strove their hearts to gain,
He wooed them to embrace His will,
They ne­ver asked His help in vain,
But found a present Saviour still.

Dear as the apple of His eye
In all their griefs He kindly grieved;
The angel of His presence nigh
From all the favorite nation saved.

He rescued when to evil sold,
He snatched them from impending harms,
Carried them all the days of old,
Safe in His ev­er­last­ing arms.

He magnified His saving power,
Called them His utmost grace to prove,
With infinite compassion bore
The objects of His tenderest love.

But Oh! They soon forsook their God,
The faithless and rebellious race
In devious paths of evil trod,
And grieved the Spi­rit of His grace.

They vexed; and forced His wrath to rise,
His vengeance fell so long delayed:
Constrained the rebels to chastise,
He poured His judgments on their head.

His mercy then He called to mind,
He called to mind the ancient days
When only merciful, and kind
He smiled on the peculiar race.

Where is He now—their God, their guide!
(He taught their hearts the pow­er­ful plea)
Where is He now, their hearts replied,
Who brought His people from the sea?

Who placed a shepherd o’er the rest,
And gave him wisdom from above,
And breathed into his peaceful breast
The meek, mild Spi­rit of His love.

Them by the hand of Moses led,
His power, and goodness to pro­claim,
Beyond the bounds of time to spread
Jehovah’s ev­er­last­ing name.

The Lord of hosts in all appeared,
He smote the sea with Moses’ rod,
His glo­ri­ous arm aloft He reared.
The parting sea confessed its God.

He brought them thro’ the wondrous way,
The deep was dry at His command,
Secure they marched in firm array,
Nor stumbled, till they reached the land.

Smooth as the generous nurtured beast,
Into the verdant vale goes down,
To bring them to that promised rest,
His Spi­rit gently led them on.

Thus didst Thou guide Thy chosen race,
That every tongue might speak Thy fame,
And earth and Hea­ven conspire to praise
The God of Israel’s glo­ri­ous name.