The Author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him.
Hebrews 5:9
Words: Charles Wesley, Hymns for Times of Trouble and Persecution, second edition, enlarged (London: Strahan, 1744), pages 13–14.
Music: Benevento arranged from Samuel Webbe, Sr., 1792 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Happy souls that Christ obey,
They are safe, and only they;
Hidden is their life above,
All wrapt up in Jesus’ love.
When His judgments are abroad,
By His timely warnings awed,
They to Him their spirits give,
Closer to their Savior cleave.
Neither wars nor plagues they fear,
Still their life and peace is near;
Undisturbed by storms they rest
Harbored in His quiet breast.
Calm on tumult’s wheel they sit,
Trample death beneath their feet;
Own their all o’er-ruling Lord,
Smile at the destroyer’s sword.
They behold the fiend pass by,
Sprinkled by the Lamb of God,
Armed and covered with His blood.
Thanks to the atoning Lamb,
We are sheltered in His name;
We our Lord begin to know,
Ransomed from the world below.
While we walk with Him in light,
Neither men or fiends affright;
Us, whom Jesus’ blood doth arm
Kill they may, but cannot harm.
O that all our friends might feel
How secure in Christ we dwell,
O that all our foes might prove
God, a pardoning God of love!