God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
Words: Stephen Popovich, 2014 (released to the public domain).
Music: Lasst uns erfreuen Ausserlesene catholische geistliche Kirchengesäng (Cologne, Germany: Peter von Brachel, 1623). Harmony by Ralph Vaughan Williams in The English Hymnal (London: Oxford University Press, 1906), number 519 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Ere one creation pillar stood,
And what was seen declared as good,
God ordained to lay a claim to
All who receive His gospel’s breath
Into their ruined heart of death;
Jesus raises souls and praises
Jesus raises souls and praises
Souls and praises.
Long rose the angels’ sudden gasp
When Heaven’s glory left the grasp
Of our Savior bound to pay for
God’s awful price of broken law;
Taking the cup, He drank it all.
Sin defaces, blood erases.
Sin defaces, blood erases.
Blood erases.
No quest we need, ere truth be found,
To Heaven’s heights or underground;
Wisdom pleads us, follow Jesus.
Feet of the blessèd carry news.
Faith marks the heart that God will choose.
Truth is sounding, grace abounding
!
Truth is sounding, grace abounding
!
Grace abounding
!
God, who man’s eye cannot behold,
Sheds forth His love where hearts unfold
His creation’s transformation.
Gleaming with light of Heaven’s rays,
Parting the darkness with His ways;
See His children, righteous pilgrims.
See His children, righteous pilgrims.
Righteous pilgrims.