Christ Jesus…being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
Philippians 2:5–7
Words: Benjamin Beddome (1717–1795). Published posthumously in Hymns Adapted to Public Worship (London: Burton & Briggs, 1818), number 65. Christ’s resurrection.
Music: Amsterdam James Nares, in The Foundery Collection, 1742 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good picture of Beddome (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Jesus leaves His throne on high,
To save a ruined race;
Lo, He condescends to die,
And take the sinner’s place:
In deep slumbers see Him borne
To the tomb, but soon He wakes;
On the third, the glorious morn,
Death’s iron bands He breaks.
Soldiers at the entry stand,
The sacred place to guard;
But behold, the time’s at hand,
The tomb must be unbarred:
Angels roll the stone away,
While the watchers’ eyes are sealed,
Death reluctant yields his prey,
And Jesus stands revealed.
Raise, ye saints, your joyful eyes,
The victory is yours;
Jesus now above the skies,
Your endless bliss secures:
He the first-fruits from the grave,
Gives a pledge of all to come:
Trust in Him, whose power to save
Shall bring you safely home.