Scripture Verse

Good tidings of great joy. Luke 2:10

Introduction

portrait
Samuel S. Wesley
1810–1876

Words: Ben­ja­min Bed­dome (1717–1795). Pub­lished post­hu­mous­ly in Hymns Adapt­ed to Pub­lic Wor­ship (Lon­don: Bu­rton & Briggs, 1818), num­ber 695. Tid­ings of Sal­va­tion.

Music: Corn­wall Sam­u­el S. Wes­ley, The Eu­ro­pe­an Psalm­ist, 1872, num­ber 441 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of Bed­dome (head-and-shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

To us the joyful news is brought,
Both unexpected and unsought,
Of mercy rich and free;
Jesus awhile forsakes His throne,
And for our lives resigns His own,
Upon the bloody tree.

For us He lived, for us He died,
By Him was justice satisfied,
The law no longer frowns;
Now pardon, peace through Him are giv’n,
A door is opened into Heav’n
To scepters and to crowns.

Then let the Gospel trumpet blow,
Till distant lands the Savior know,
And own His power divine;
Nations unborn learn to adore,
His sovereign grace and conquering power,
And in one concert join.